2025 Blue KC Gamechanger Honoree Dr. Alison Banikowski
Stepping in Where it Counts
When Dr. Alison Banikowski was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010, it changed her life. She found a way to turn this life-changing moment into something good.
Banikowski had previously contributed financially to Susan G. Komen, the national organization that provides support for breast cancer research and treatment. But during her own treatment and recovery, she jumped in with both feet. Literally.
She participated in her first Komen walk after surgery and during her chemo treatment, forming a team she called “Alison’s Allies.”
When Komen stopped doing fundraising walks in Kansas City in 2017, Banikowski organized her own walk and changed her fundraising to local breast cancer efforts, raising nearly $300,000 over the past 15 years.
Because of her efforts, Banikowski will receive the September “Blue KC Gamechanger” award. Launched during the 2024 NWSL season, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City (Blue KC) and the Kansas City Current teamed up to create this exclusive program highlighting local individuals blazing the trail for all women across the Kansas City area. A Blue KC Gamechanger inspires bold ambition in all his or her work, enriching the community around them, and enacting positive change through intentional action.
“Fundraising for local endeavors is extremely positive,” Banikowski said. “It’s rewarding to see your funds used locally to support screening efforts for women who can’t afford a mammogram and to fund pilot research programs.”
The mortality rate for African-Americans nationally is 40 percent higher than for Caucasian women, which is why Alison’s Allies’ primary focus is for the minority community.
Dr. Banikowski, whose doctorate is in education, learned that Black women are not more likely to contract breast cancer. They’re just more likely to die from it because of lack of screening or delay in getting screened.
With that in mind, Alison’s Allies supports events in Black churches and community centers in the KC area, along with other members of the Kansas Breast Cancer Health Equity Task Force. Each event has an on-site mobile mammography van and a Black healthcare provider to help the participants be more comfortable.
Alison’s Allies is supporting the first exclusively Spanish-speaking event in November.
“I’ll be working at that event,” she said. “I won’t understand anything that’s being said, but I can help wherever I’m needed. I’m anxious to see how that goes.”
Just like with most other cancers, the likelihood of survival in breast cancer goes way up with early detection. Banikowski’s cancer was discovered early, and she had a solid support system.
“I had a supportive employer, great health care, and great family and friends support,” she said. “If you don’t have that around you, things can go south pretty quickly.”
Banikowski joined the Breast Cancer Health Equity Task Force in Kansas City, whose focus has been to help the underserved community with education and support. “If you have a 40-percent higher mortality rate in a group of women, we certainly need to do something about that.”
Alison’s Allies’ 2025 goal is to raise $15,000 for a pilot research program on the highly aggressive triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) at the KU Cancer Center. Dr. Priyanka Sharma is spearheading the program, and she told Banikowski that mid-level donations can lead to major grants by providing funds for these pilot projects.
“Our long-term goals are to continue with the two focus areas that we’ve had, breast cancer screening for underserved women and breast cancer research for challenging breast cancer types,” Banikowski said.
“Dr. Banikowski’s passion for helping the underserved community in Kansas City is inspiring for all of us,” said Blue KC Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Christina Lively. “We are very proud and excited to recognize her as our September Blue KC Gamechanger.”
Banikowski said she is humbled by the honor.
“I am a big supporter of the Kansas City Current,” she said. “I knew nothing about soccer before I went to my first game. Just to support women’s sports is exciting. As an educator, the opportunity to support women and girls doing things that they might not have thought they could do is exciting.”
Blue KC supports the Kansas City community through impactful sports partnership programs
Blue KC Gamechanger Program
