You may remember nurse Jen Bacon from one of our From the Frontlines segments back in December. As an emergency room nurse at a hospital just outside Minneapolis, Jen has spent the past year treating patients with the most severe cases of Covid-19. “I’m incredibly burnt out,” Jen told KCM. “I think we’re sharing in this collective trauma. I’ve been struggling quite a bit.” 

With some help from our friends at Walmart+, a new membership that offers benefits like free shipping with no order minimums*, free delivery from local Walmart stores**, member prices on fuel, and mobile scan and go to limit person to person contact while shopping in stores, Katie recently reconnected with Jen to see how she’s doing. Walmart+ is the perfect service for people like Jen who may not have time to get out to the grocery store or pharmacy, or may want to avoid these places right now out of an abundance of caution. 

Jen told Katie that at the beginning of the Covid pandemic when there was still so much uncertainty surrounding the virus, she was “probably in the darkest spot I’ve ever been in.” The stress of her job took a toll not just on Jen, but also on her two teenage kids, who she sent to live with their father when she realized how easy it would be to take this deadly virus home with her. 

But luckily for Jen, there has been a bright spot in all of this darkness: like so many healthcare heroes, she loves her job, and has devoted her life and her career to serving others. “Our whole approach is to try and help other people,” She told Katie. “That’s what we live for. It’s why we’re in medicine.” 

After hearing Jen’s story, Katie was so inspired by her optimism and dedication that she and KCM decided to offer Jen a surprise: a yearlong membership to Walmart+, along with a gift of 10,000 dollars. “We just hope that this will brighten your day a little bit, because I know there have been a lot of dark ones,” said Katie. “I hope this makes you realize that there are a lot of people out there who really care about you, are grateful for you, and appreciate everything you’ve done.”

*Excludes oversized/freight & Marketplace items.

**$35 minimum.  Restrictions apply.