Former Kansas City Chiefs cheerleader Krystal Anderson dies age 40 after childbirth
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Krystal Anderson, who previously cheered for the Kansas City Chiefs, has passed away at 40 years old from sepsis after experiencing a stillbirth.
The Chiefs Cheer team confirmed on Instagram that Anderson, who had cheered at over 100 games, passed away on March 20th. According to a GoFundMe page, Anderson was hospitalised when she was 21 weeks pregnant and gave birth to her stillborn daughter, Charlotte Willow. Sadly, Anderson developed a fever the next day which led to sepsis and, eventually, organ failure. Anderson was placed on life support and underwent three surgeries, but doctors were unable to determine the source of the infection.
Krissy, who was a former cheerleader for the Kansas City Chiefs in the NFL, passed away in the early hours of March 20. Her GoFundMe page reported her family was by her side during her final moments. She was greatly admired for her 10-season tenure and her commitment to every performance, proving her talents as a phenomenal athlete.
Apart from being a supporter of the Chiefs during 2006 to 2011, and 2013 to 2016, Anderson had other interests as well. As per her spouse Clayton Anderson, she was a yoga trainer and a tech expert, and she had a keen interest in the health of women and Black women in STEM-related areas. After her demise, Clayton mentioned that he feels disoriented, and even though there are people around him, the void created by her absence makes him feel like the house is empty.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), sepsis is the body's severe reaction to an infection. This condition occurs when the body's usual response to an infection harms and overburdens its own organs and tissues. As a result, septic shock, multiple organ failure, and even death may occur, as explained by Dr. Colin Begg, an expert in sepsis and pediatric intensive care, in a previous article by The Independent.
According to the CDC, there are more than 1.7 million cases of sepsis each year in the US among adults. The Sepsis Alliance has indicated that sepsis can also develop during childbirth due to an infection related to pregnancy.
A research report was recently published in the Journal of the American Medical Association that discovered an increase in the count of maternal deaths in the United States within two decades. It has been observed that Black mothers tend to die at a higher rate compared to other races and are three times more prone to succumbing to a pregnancy-related cause than white women, as per the CDC. The causes of this situation are multifold and can be attributed to factors like inadequate healthcare facilities, structural racism, and unintentional biases in the medical profession.
Krystal Anderson, a previous cheerleader for the Kansas City Chiefs, has passed away after fighting sepsis.
The Chiefs Cheer team's official Instagram account has paid tribute to Krystal Anderson's memory by sharing a sincere message. The post began by conveying their profound grief over the news of her demise. Krystal was a CC alum who was highly regarded and cherished by her teammates, supporters, and acquaintances whom she quickly befriended.
While working as a cheerleader for the NFL, Anderson had the opportunity to attend the Pro Bowl as the representative for the Chiefs team in 2015. She was chosen as a team captain and was also present during the London game. Furthermore, she traveled both in the country and abroad to visit troops serving in the US Army. Anderson also played an important role as an alumni member, joining in cheerleading practices and attending Chiefs games.
They expressed that they will feel her absence due to her gentle personality, lively aura, and her radiance. They also mentioned that they are keeping her family and close ones in their thoughts and prayers. They will treasure every memory they made with her. They plan to announce at a future time the ways they will carry on remembering her.
According to her obituary, Anderson was recognized for her contributions as a software engineer at Oracle Health, specifically for her efforts in creating software that evaluates the likelihood of postpartum hemorrhage. She tied the knot with her spouse Clayton in July of 2021, but sadly, their firstborn baby, James Charles, passed away as an infant.
The GoFundMe page stated that Krissy has been reunited with her babies, James Charles and Charlotte Willow. It was mentioned that although our hearts weren't prepared, God was eager to bring her back. The page expressed appreciation for the kindness and generosity shown by people, and said that it will never be forgotten. It was emphasized that Krissy shared her love with everyone and it will continue to resonate through their compassionate actions.
Anderson's loved ones have put together a fundraising event to create the Krystal's Legacy Fund.
