Patrick Mahomes' mom pleads for help as family member fights rare cancer

The family of Patrick Mahomes is asking for prayers and donations as a young relative of the Super Bowl-winning quarterback battles a rare form of cancer.

Luka was 'perfectly healthy' until the day he turned eight months old. But then he inhaled swimming pool water while on vacation and was later rushed to the hospital. 

Luka was last month diagnosed with stage L2 intermediate neuroblastoma, a cancer that affects around 800 children in the United States every year.

After a large tumor was found 'pressing' on Luka's lung, he went in for surgery and was in the ICU for five days. He also began chemotherapy and this week, Mahomes' mom Randi made an emotional plea to help Luka, who is the grandson of her cousin.

'Please join me in continuing to pray for my cousin's grandson. Sweet Luka is still fighting Stage L2 intermediate neuroblastoma,' she wrote on Instagram.

'He is undergoing chemo and fighting hard. Please pray for this sweet family as they are going one of the hardest trials of their lives.'

Randi also posted a link to a GoFundMe page to support Luka. At the time of writing, it was already close to its target of $9,000 to help his parents, Cassie and Carlos.

It comes just a few months after Randi, who donated $500 to Luka's fund, lost her father in the wake of this year's Super Bowl. 

Randy Mahomes, the grandfather of Chiefs quarterback Patrick, passed away in February after battling an unknown illness.

His death came just five days after Patrick, and Kansas City, lost in the Super Bowl to to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Now the family faces more heartache as Luka continues to battle neuroblastoma.  The GoFundMe page, set up late last month, revealed that Luka had 'moved out of intensive care and is on the oncology floor.' 

The child's loved ones explained: 'His chest tube still remains in place and is still draining. His next round of chemotherapy will take place on June 25th, and the oncologists are hoping that after the second round, the fluid draining from his lung will subside. 

'His parents, Cassie and Carlos, have remained by his side since he was admitted. Since his mother, Cassie, is an ICU nurse, she will be unable to work the duration of his treatment for fears of bringing illness home to her immunocompromised child. 

'Please pray for this sweet family as they are going through one of the hardest trials of their lives.'