Anne Webster: Welcome back to your Employee Podcast, where you could hear and learn from other Costco employees who have overcome or managed their own challenges with the help of Costco benefits. Today we’re talking with Costco employee Nicole Rimel.

Hi Nicole. Thanks for joining us.

Nicole Rimel: Thanks for having me.

Anne Webster: So how long have you been with Costco?

Nicole Rimel: I’ve been with Costco for almost 23 years.

Anne Webster: And which location do you work at?

Nicole Rimel: I work at Warehouse 667 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Anne Webster: And what do you do there?

Nicole Rimel: I’m a cashier.

Anne Webster: And I heard your husband also works at Costco?

Nicole Rimel: Yes, he works for Costco. He’s been there almost 23 years. We met at Costco, and we’ve been married for almost 18.

Anne Webster: Oh, that’s wonderful.

So what led you to seek your Costco benefits?

Nicole Rimel: In 2019, my daughter Natalie was having some vision issues, so we took her into the optometrist. We thought we would leave with a pair of glasses, and the optometrist ended up sending us to a specialist, which got us in the same day. The specialist said, this little girl can’t see a thing, so you need to go home, pack a bag, go to the ER, and plan on being there for a while. So we did that. They ran some tests on Natalie, and in an MRI they found a tumor at the base of her brain sitting on her optic nerves.

Anne Webster: That must have been a shock.

Nicole Rimel: Yes. The tumor was inoperable, and so they told us she was going to have to do 12 months of chemotherapy.

After two months of chemotherapy, they did an MRI and Natalie’s tumor had completely disappeared. But eight months later, Natalie was having some right side weakness, so we took her into the urgent care where they did some tests on her and determined that it wasn’t anything muscular or a fractured bone or anything. So they referred us back to her neurologist, who then did an MRI and found that the area that they had found was in fact another tumor, a second more aggressive tumor.

Anne Webster: A second tumor. Oh, my gosh.

Nicole Rimel: Unfortunately, yes. He recommended that she have chemo and radiation. So we called Aetna, and they gave us the resources to get a second opinion, which determined what was recommended for Natalie was the right thing.

We weren’t able to get the type of radiation that Natalie needed in the state we live in, so we had to travel 13 hours for Natalie to receive the radiation that she needed. We ended up being away from home for nine weeks. Our insurance helped reimburse our travel costs and living costs for food and stuff like that.

Anne Webster: Wow. I’m so glad you were able to get the right treatment and got some of those expenses reimbursed.

Nicole Rimel: Absolutely. And through everything we had to deal with with Natalie’s journey, our benefits and insurance was never one of them.

Anne Webster: That’s so great to hear.

Nicole Rimel: Yeah, it was really helpful.

Natalie completed treatment in January of 2021. We went home. She had clear scans for two years, and then another area of concern appeared in her MRI.

Anne Webster: So there was a third tumor?

Nicole Rimel: Yes, and it was determined it was a very treatable tumor. She also needed the radiation again, which wasn’t offered in our state. So we again had to travel for treatment for Natalie.

She completed treatment in April of 2024, and all of her MRIs have shown no evidence of disease.

Anne Webster: What an incredible journey for you; difficult, but I’m so glad you were supported. You mentioned that your Costco family really came forward for you as well.

Nicole Rimel: They did. We are so blessed to work for a company where your fellow employees become family. Many employees donated vacation time. They did fundraisers, bake sales, just whatever they could to help eliminate any stress that we might have while we were away from home so that we could focus our time completely on Natalie and her health.

Anne Webster: And the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals were a big part of Natalie’s recovery too. Costco raises money for them during their fund drive every year. Can you tell me a little bit about that?

Nicole Rimel: Sure. Children’s Miracle Network fundraiser runs every May. We as cashiers ask members to contribute money at checkout, and people are always really great about it. If you explain a little bit about it, they’re always willing to donate.

Anne Webster: Oh, that’s wonderful.

Can you tell me a little about what the Costco donations help with?

Nicole Rimel: Yes. Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals have helped over 12 million kids every year that receive services in the hospital. 100% of the monies raised stay within that state. They have a program called Child Life, which is super important for kids who have to stay in the hospital. It gives them an escape from their hospital room to be able to play games, do artwork, bake, just play and be kids.

Anne Webster: It’s so awesome that these funds can directly support Costco employees and their families like you and Natalie. This year’s Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals fund drive is May 1st through 31st. So listeners, get the word out.

Can you tell us how your daughter is doing today?

Nicole Rimel: Natalie’s doing great. She has the most positive attitude of anyone I’ve ever met. Her positivity has gotten her through this journey.

Anne Webster: What an inspiring young woman.

Any final words you have about your experience using your benefits?

Nicole Rimel: I just want to encourage employees to use them. They’re there. Costco’s there to support you 100%. If you don’t know what you need, ask. They’ll help you find what you need. We’re so blessed to work for such a great company that supports us.

Anne Webster: Nicole, thank you for sharing your story and spending time with us.

Until next time, stay well, be safe, and remember, We’re In This Together.