Krystal Anderson, a former cheerleader for the Kansas City Chiefs, passed away last week at the age of 40. Her family revealed that she tragically lost her baby and succumbed to sepsis.
Krissy Anderson, as her friends affectionately called her, was admitted to the hospital when she was five months pregnant. Sadly, doctors couldn’t find a heartbeat, and she had to deliver her daughter, Charlotte Willow. Tragically, Krissy developed a fever the day after giving birth, and her condition deteriorated rapidly. She fought against sepsis, which eventually caused her organs to fail. Despite being put on life support and undergoing three surgeries, Krissy passed away early on Wednesday morning.
Clayton Anderson, her husband, expressed a sense of being lost and an overwhelming sensation of emptiness in their house filled with people.
“Krissy embodied more than just the roles of a wife, mother, daughter, or friend; she was the epitome of magic. A heartfelt tribute on a GoFundMe page dedicated to her captures her essence perfectly. It describes how her radiant smile had the power to illuminate even the darkest of rooms, and how her witty and sassy comebacks never failed to bring laughter and joy to those around her. Her love knew no bounds, leaving an indelible mark on everyone fortunate enough to have crossed paths with her.”
By Tuesday afternoon, the fundraising page had already gathered over $67,000. This generous amount is intended to cover medical expenses, funeral costs, and establish a legacy fund for the recipient.
The Kansas City Chiefs expressed their sorrow over Anderson’s passing on Thursday, expressing deep sadness on behalf of the cheerleading squad. The team recognized her dedication, mentioning that she had cheered in over 100 games for the franchise from 2006 to 2011, and then again from 2013 to 2016.
The statement highlighted the immense love and admiration that her teammates, fans, and even strangers had for her. According to them, she was able to quickly establish a connection with anyone she met. Even after her time as a cheerleader, she remained dedicated to spreading her passion for dance and her beloved Chiefs Cheer. This commitment was evident in her active involvement in alumni activities, where she contributed her time and energy to gamedays, practices, and various events.
The team has announced that they will reveal their plans to pay further tribute to Anderson’s legacy in the future.
After her time in the NFL, Anderson pursued a career in teaching yoga and software engineering at Oracle Health. She was known for her strong support of Black women in STEM fields and women’s health. In addition, she actively participated in philanthropic endeavors, collaborating with organizations such as Big Brothers and Big Sisters of KC, the perinatal bereavement nonprofit Gabriella’s Little Library, and the Oracle Health Foundation.
According to her husband, she had a remarkable impact on everyone around her, brightening up every room she entered.
According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, maternal deaths in the U.S. have been steadily increasing over the past two decades. However, it is alarming to note that Black women are two to three times more likely to die in childbirth compared to white women. This disparity is a clear reflection of the persistent issue of implicit bias and medical racism. As a result, Black mothers are not only at a higher risk of maternal mortality but are also more prone to life-threatening complications such as preeclampsia, postpartum hemorrhage, and blood clots.
“It’s, you know, we often say that this is the best country in the world, right?” expressed Anderson’s husband in an interview with FOX4 News. “However, for Black pregnant women, this statement doesn’t hold true, and it’s high time for that to change.”
