Krystal Cunningham Anderson, a beloved former Kansas City Chiefs cheerleader and women’s health advocate, tragically passed away at the age of 40, shortly after giving birth. Anderson’s life was cut short due to complications from sepsis following the stillbirth of her daughter, Charlotte Willow.
His battle with the condition led to organ failure, and despite undergoing multiple surgeries, doctors were unable to identify the source of the infection, as shared in a GoFundMe page created in his memory to help with medical costs and establish a legacy fund.
His the obituary reveals a life marked by both joy and previous pain, as she noted the loss of her young son, James Charles, and left behind a loving family that included her parents, her brother, and her husband Clayton, to whom she was married for almost three years.
Anderson’s tenure with the Kansas City Chiefs cheerleading team spanned several years, from 2006 to 2011 and then from 2013 to 2016. Her dedication to the team ran deep, contributing to over 100 games, serving as captain and even representing to the team in the 2015 Pro Bowl.
The Chiefs organization expressed its sorrow over his loss, noting his infectious spirit, his leadership and the indelible mark he left on both the team and the community. Beyond the cheerleading field, Anderson was a formidable software engineer at Oracle Health, where she combined her technical acumen with her passion for healthcare.
His innovative work developing software to assess postpartum hemorrhage risks was recognized with a patent. Anderson was also a yoga instructor and was involved in several philanthropic efforts, particularly advocating for Black women in STEM and addressing women’s health issues. Originally from Texas, Anderson had settled in Leawood, Kansas, with her husband.
she was a student at the University of Richmond in Virginia and an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., where she continued to inspire and lead. In his memory, the sorority and other organizations are hosting a summit to discuss the challenges of maternal and reproductive health in the Black community, underscoring Anderson’s lasting impact and his dedication to important causes.
Anderson’s untimely death sheds light on the broader issue of maternal sepsis, a critical condition the CDC describes as an extreme response to infection, leading to significant mortality rates worldwide. The Sepsis Alliance notes that this condition is responsible for a significant number of maternal deaths worldwide each year. This tragedy also highlights the alarming rise in maternal mortality rates in the United States, particularly among Black women, pointing to systemic disparities in healthcare that urgently need to be addressed.