Who was Ebi Eats? Healthcare influencer NurseLifeRN dies of leukemia

Tributes are flooding social media for nurse and influencer Ebi Eats who sadly passed away this week after battling leukemia.

One person wrote on Twitter: “I can’t believe we really lost @nurselifern @ebi_eats. The nursing community won’t be as funny without you.”

“Ebi from @nurselifern and @ebi_eats passed away today, thank you for all the laughs and encouragement, you will be missed and loved forever,” said another.

A third person added: “RIP @ebi_eats. You gave nurses everywhere a community to not only find humor in our profession but a platform to discuss and deliberate various topics in our healthcare system. We lost a great one.”

So, who was Ebi? Here’s everything you need to know about him.

Today we said a final goodbye to our friend, Ebi aka @nurselifern. Ebi, you were a tremendous human being, making us all laugh with your sarcastic and quick wit. We speak for our followers when we say, you brought sunshine into our lives daily. Rest in peace, friend. pic.twitter.com/Updt2tuhGj

— Scrubs Magazine (@ScrubsMagazine) July 22, 2021

View Tweet

Who was Ebi Eats?

Ebiowei Porbeni, better known online as Ebi Eats or NurseLifeRN was a popular social media influencer in the healthcare industry.

The young nurse was born in Nigeria but moved to Chicago when he was nine. Then, he studied at Malone University and became an ICU nurse at the University of California, Los Angeles.

He has 1.2 million followers on his Instagram profile @nurselifern where he posted hilarious memes and comical stories about his life working in healthcare.

Ebi also has 171,000 followers on his personal account @ebi_eats, however both profiles appear to have been set to private following his death.

Aside from his nursing and social media career, Ebi also had a podcast called Nurse Speak where he spoke about the ups and downs of working as a nurse.

Ebi was diagnosed with Leukemia

Back in September 2019, Ebi was diagnosed with Leukemia.

He announced the diagnosis in an Instagram post where he spoke from a hospital bed about what it was like to start chemotherapy.

Following the post, he also created a GoFundMe to raise money for his medical care.

“I want to thank you guys for all the love and support after my IG post on the 16th. My Leukemia diagnoses was something I was a little nervous to share but it felt odd to keep it away from a community that I feel so close to,” he wrote.

“Whatever amount donated will go towards medical expenses and keeping things running with the nurselifern media company as I take some time off over the next few weeks or months to recuperate. I appreciate you guys.”

At the time of writing this, the GoFundMe has currently raised $254,000.

This incredible nurse @ebi_eats passed away from cancer. He ran the Insta page @nurselifern. He brought happiness to SO many. He was a beacon of light. I often have looked to his humor to destress during nursing school. The nursing community will never be the same without you. 😔 pic.twitter.com/c91ve7p5zi

— Jackie (@JackieMButler) July 23, 2021

View Tweet

Ebi dies from Leukemia

After less than a year battling Leukemia, Ebi sadly passed away on Thursday (July 22nd).

The news was confirmed by his social media coordinator Emily who wrote on Instagram: “With heavy hearts we are sad to share Ebi passed away Tuesday afternoon surrounded by family and friends.”

“One thing we know is the positive impact the @nurselifern community has had on his life. His family request that we honor his privacy,” she added.

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7qbXTnGWcp51ksq95xptma2hiZnxxg45ramidkp56pq3TrGSdoZWZfA%3D%3D