{"id":11351,"date":"2025-09-13T12:29:43","date_gmt":"2025-09-13T17:29:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bluekc.com\/blueprint\/?p=11351"},"modified":"2025-09-17T12:32:21","modified_gmt":"2025-09-17T17:32:21","slug":"2025-blue-kc-gamechanger-honoree-dr-alison-banikowski","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bluekc.com\/blueprint\/community-and-culture\/sports-partnerships-community-and-culture\/2025-blue-kc-gamechanger-honoree-dr-alison-banikowski\/","title":{"rendered":"2025 Blue KC Gamechanger Honoree Dr. Alison Banikowski"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Stepping in Where it Counts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She participated in her first Komen walk after surgery and during her chemo treatment, forming a team she called \u201cAlison\u2019s Allies.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because of her efforts, Banikowski will receive the September \u201cBlue KC Gamechanger\u201d 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFundraising for local endeavors is extremely positive,\u201d Banikowski said. \u201cIt\u2019s rewarding to see your funds used locally to support screening efforts for women who can\u2019t afford a mammogram and to fund pilot research programs.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The mortality rate for African-Americans nationally is 40 percent higher than for Caucasian women, which is why Alison\u2019s Allies\u2019 primary focus is for the minority community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Banikowski, whose doctorate is in education, learned that Black women are not more likely to contract breast cancer. They\u2019re just more likely to die from it because of lack of screening or delay in getting screened.<\/p>\n\n\n

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With that in mind, Alison\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alison\u2019s Allies is supporting the first exclusively Spanish-speaking event in November.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be working at that event,\u201d she said. \u201cI won\u2019t understand anything that\u2019s being said, but I can help wherever I\u2019m needed. I\u2019m anxious to see how that goes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just like with most other cancers, the likelihood of survival in breast cancer goes way up with early detection. Banikowski\u2019s cancer was discovered early, and she had a solid support system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI had a supportive employer, great health care, and great family and friends support,\u201d she said. \u201cIf you don\u2019t have that around you, things can go south pretty quickly.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. \u201cIf you have a 40-percent higher mortality rate in a group of women, we certainly need to do something about that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alison\u2019s Allies\u2019 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOur long-term goals are to continue with the two focus areas that we\u2019ve had, breast cancer screening for underserved women and breast cancer research for challenging breast cancer types,\u201d Banikowski said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDr. Banikowski\u2019s passion for helping the underserved community in Kansas City is inspiring for all of us,\u201d said Blue KC Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Christina Lively. \u201cWe are very proud and excited to recognize her as our September Blue KC Gamechanger.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Banikowski said she is humbled by the honor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI am a big supporter of the Kansas City Current,\u201d she said. \u201cI knew nothing about soccer before I went to my first game. Just to support women\u2019s 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.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

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Blue KC supports the Kansas City community through impactful sports partnership programs<\/h3>

Blue KC Gamechanger Program<\/p> <\/div>\n

\n \n Nominate your Gamechanger today!<\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t
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