Tasheka shares how Walmart helped her battle cancer.
It was March 2023 when Tasheka Saunders heard the words no one wants to hear: “You have cancer.”
“I was 39 years old with a young son and going through a divorce,” Tasheka shares. “On top of the shock of being diagnosed with breast cancer, I didn’t know how I was going to pay the medical bills that were sure to come in. But when this journey started, I knew God would take care of me.”
A few months later, surgery to remove two lumps revealed more bad news: There was more cancer. Because the cancer had spread, her doctor recommended a mastectomy, removing her entire breast.
That’s when Tasheka learned about Walmart’s Centers of Excellence program and her cancer journey shifted direction.
Walmart’s Centers of Excellence (COE) program connects associates with some of the best specialists and facilities in the U.S. — at no cost with eligible Walmart medical plans. The program is designed for associates facing certain surgeries, requiring cancer treatment or seeking fertility care.
For Tasheka, Walmart’s COE program meant that doctors at Mayo Clinic would consult on her case. “They reviewed my diagnosis and treatment plan from my local doctor and said they wanted to bring me to their clinic to evaluate me themselves.”
“Today, I’m proud to say I am cancer free. The Walmart Centers of Excellence program and the doctors at Mayo Clinic rescued me.”
“When I arrived at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, I was welcomed by a team of doctors who were amazing,” she says. “I quickly realized I was in good hands. They took the time to explain everything. They held my hand during my biopsy. They made me feel supported. They gave me hope and a reason to continue my fight.”
Ultimately, the cancer experts at Mayo Clinic performed a surgery that removed all the cancer, without having to remove her entire breast. They also operated on her other breast to achieve symmetry.
But here’s what Tasheka considers the most incredible part of her story: “I never received a bill for either surgery. On top of that, the Walmart Cancer Centers of Excellence program covered the cost for my many trips to Mayo Clinic throughout my breast cancer treatment, including my airfare, hotel and food. Knowing I didn’t have to worry about medical bills allowed me to focus on healing,” she says.
Tasheka, who works at Distribution Center 6088 in Williamsburg, Virginia, is now in a new phase of her journey, participating in American Cancer Society events and raising awareness about breast cancer.
“Today, I’m proud to say I am cancer free. The Walmart Centers of Excellence program and the doctors at Mayo Clinic rescued me. Life is precious, and I feel truly blessed to have received life-saving care,” she says.
If you’re an associate facing heart surgery, spine surgery, joint replacement, or cancer treatment or seeking fertility treatment, weight loss surgery or a transplant, learn more about Walmart’s Centers of Excellence program, including eligibility and coverage details. Call your health advisor if you think the Centers of Excellence could help you. You’ll find the number on the back of your Walmart medical plan ID card.
