By Jennifer Porter Gore

Originally appeared in Word in Black

When she died during childbirth, Krystal Anderson became the latest reminder that Black women are at the center of a global maternal health crisis. 

Krystal Anderson seemed to move easily between two worlds as an NFL cheerleader and a college-educated computer scientist. For nearly a decade, she split her time cheering and dancing for the Kansas City Chiefs and her career job as a software engineer for a medical tech company. 

Her passion for cheerleading and dance, friends say, was exceeded only by Anderson’s desire to help solve the riddle of disproportionately high rates of Black women who die during childbirth. Indeed, she won a patent for software that can assess a woman’s risk of postpartum hemorrhage. 

Tragically, however, Anderson — a married, expectant mom herself — fell victim to the very problem she tried to solve. She died of sepsis on March 20, shortly after doctors delivered her stillborn daughter. 

Tragically, however, Anderson — a married, expectant mom herself — fell victim to the very problem she tried to solve. She died of sepsis on March 20, shortly after doctors delivered her stillborn daughter. 

She was loved and adored.

Her death came suddenly, according to the narrative written by friends on Anderson’s GoFundMe page. Just after her stillborn daughter was delivered, she developed sepsis, the body’s extreme response to an infection that can often cause death.

“Her fight with sepsis led to organ failure, and she was placed on life support,” according to the narrative. “Krissy underwent three surgeries, but the source of infection remained elusive.”

The Chiefs Cheer organization paid tribute to Anderson. 

“We are deeply saddened by the recent passing of CC alum Krystal. Krissy cheered with us for over 100 games from 2006-2011 and 2013-2016,” the Chiefs Cheer organization said in a statement. “She was loved and adored by her teammates, fans, and strangers who were never strangers for long.”

Her husband, Clayton Anderson, told local TV station Fox 4 his wife had a personality and brilliant smile that “made every room just light up.” She made friends everywhere, volunteered for charity and was “an absolute force for good.”

Mourners her have filled his home, “but it feels empty,” Clayton Anderson said. “I feel lost.”