You’ve probably heard the voice. That slide-in, the "now here’s a guy" catchphrase, and the sharp analysis that has made Cris Collinsworth a staple of Sunday nights for decades. But away from the bright stadium lights and the high-energy broadcast booth, the Collinsworth family has dealt with some heavy reality. When people search for cris collinsworth wife cancer, there is usually a mix of confusion, concern, and a bit of misinformation floating around the internet.
Let's get the record straight right away. Holly Bankemper, Cris’s wife of over 35 years, is a powerhouse in her own right—an attorney, a mother of four, and a fixture in their Kentucky community. While she has been at the center of the family’s massive philanthropic efforts to fight cancer, her personal health journey is often conflated with other family tragedies or the high-profile work they do through their foundation.
Honestly, the story of how the Collinsworths have navigated the shadow of this disease is more about proactive battle and community service than just a single medical diagnosis.
The Reality Behind the Headlines
So, what is the actual deal? If you look at the rumors, they often stem from a few different places. First, Cris and Holly are the founders of the Cris Collinsworth ProScan Fund (CCPSF). They started this way back in 2002. Its primary mission? Fighting breast cancer. Because they are so public about the importance of early detection and providing mammograms to women who can't afford them, people often assume Holly herself was the catalyst through a personal diagnosis.
Then there is the actual heartbreak the family has endured.
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Cris lost his brother, Greg Collinsworth, to colon cancer in 2004. Greg was only 44. It was a brutal, year-long fight that hit Cris incredibly hard. He’s spoken openly about those final days, even describing the moment he told his brother it was okay to let go. Not long after, in 2012, Cris’s father, Abe Collinsworth, passed away after battling leukemia.
When a family is hit that hard by a specific disease, the public narrative tends to get a bit tangled. People see "Collinsworth" and "cancer" in the same headline and immediately jump to conclusions about Holly.
Who is Holly Bankemper?
Holly isn't just a "broadcaster's wife." She’s a successful attorney who has practiced law in the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky area for years. She and Cris met at the University of Cincinnati—where they both attended law school—and they’ve been a team since 1989.
While Holly stays out of the flashy media spotlight that her husband and son, Jac Collinsworth, occupy, she is the backbone of their charitable work. You won't find her posting every detail of her life on Instagram, but you will find her name on the board of directors for their fund.
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Their nonprofit doesn't just write checks. They run "The Pink Ribbon" mobile mammography units. These are basically high-tech medical clinics on wheels that go into neighborhoods to provide life-saving screenings. They’ve performed thousands of mammograms. That kind of commitment usually comes from a place of seeing what the disease does to families, which the Collinsworths certainly have.
Navigating the Rumor Mill
In the age of AI-generated "news" and clickbait, stories about cris collinsworth wife cancer sometimes get distorted. Some blogs have claimed she fought breast cancer herself, while others focus on her role as an advocate.
Here is what we know for sure:
- The family has been profoundly affected by cancer through the loss of Cris's brother and father.
- Holly is a healthy, practicing attorney and active community leader as of 2026.
- Their focus is on early detection. Cris often mentions that if Greg’s colon cancer had been caught sooner, the outcome might have been different. This regret fueled their mission to make sure other families don't go through the same thing.
It’s also worth noting how they’ve raised their kids in the middle of all this. They have four: Katie, Austin, Ashley, and Jac. They’ve all seen the work their parents do. Whether it’s Austin working in sports analytics or Jac following his dad’s footsteps at NBC, the family seems incredibly tight-knit.
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Why the Advocacy Matters Now
The work the Collinsworths do through the ProScan Fund is arguably more important now than when they started it over twenty years ago. With healthcare costs rising, the "The Pink Ribbon" project remains a critical safety net.
They also run a program called Queen City Chess, which might seem random, but it’s actually a brilliant way to reach kids and build discipline. It’s all part of a holistic approach to community health and development.
When you see Cris sliding into the frame on Sunday night, remember that he’s probably spent his week worrying about something much bigger than a blown coverage in the secondary. He and Holly have turned personal grief—specifically the loss of Greg and Abe—into a massive machine for good.
Actionable Insights for You
If you're reading this because you're worried about someone in your own life, or because you've seen these rumors and want to know how to help, here are the real takeaways:
- Prioritize Screenings: The core message of the Collinsworth ProScan Fund is that early detection saves lives. Don't skip your annual check-ups.
- Support Local Mobile Health: If you have the means, donating to organizations like the CCPSF helps put mammography units in the field for those who can't access traditional hospitals.
- Check the Source: Celebrity health rumors are often a mix of three different stories. Always look for direct interviews or official foundation statements rather than "breaking news" from unknown blogs.
- Advocate for Colon Health: Given the family history Cris has shared, he often encourages men to get colonoscopies early, especially if there’s a family history.
The story isn't one of a secret illness, but of a family using their massive platform to try and make sure "cancer" is a word fewer people have to fear. Holly Bankemper remains a driving force behind that mission, proving that the most impactful work often happens when the cameras aren't even rolling.