It’s been a year of quiet grief for Randi Mahomes. Back in February, just days after watching her son, Patrick Mahomes, and the Chiefs fall short in the Super Bowl, she lost her father, Randy. The timing made the heartbreak even heavier. “Hard to find the words of holding my father’s hand as he goes to Heaven,” she wrote in an emotional Instagram post on Valentine’s Day. It was the first public glimpse into what had been a deeply personal loss—just a couple of years after she lost her mother, Debbie. Randi hasn’t said much publicly about what she’s been carrying—but it’s there, if you look closely.

Since February, her Instagram feed has been quieter, her stories punctuated by scripture verses, throwback photos of her father, and snapshots from family moments that feel more reflective than celebratory. On what would’ve been her dad’s birthday in April, she shared an old photo of them together and wrote, “Miss you every single day.” On Father’s Day, she posted only a throwback picture with a caption that paid “hard” yet heartfelt homage to her late dad. Her posts haven’t spelled out her grief, but the weight of it has been steadily present, tucked between the lines of everyday updates.

Because she’s shown up at Chiefs games, celebrating her son’s success and sharing proud-mom moments, never letting on just how much she’s been privately enduring. That silence finally broke this week. On Sunday, Randi returned to Instagram—not with a tribute, but with a plea.

“Asking for prayers for my cousin’s grandson, Luka,” she wrote. The gravity of Luka’s condition became public through Randi’s Instagram story—a single frame that said more than words ever could. Against a photo of Luka smiling in a hospital crib, Randi had shared her plea for support. The second picture painted a far more sobering picture—Luka asleep, connected to multiple tubes and oxygen lines. Over it, Randi explained: “Sweet Luka is in the hospital fighting Stage L2 intermediate neuroblastoma. Luka was a perfectly healthy baby boy up until the day he turned 8 months old and was life-flighted to Dallas Children’s Hospital. A large tumor was found on his lung 😭.”

It was the first time the diagnosis had been publicly shared. The photos spoke volumes: one showing the innocence of a child unaware of the fight he was in, the other, the brutal reality of that fight.

Luka, just eight months old, has been diagnosed with Stage L2 intermediate neuroblastoma—a rare and aggressive pediatric cancer. the diagnosis came suddenly after what seemed like a harmless summer moment. While on a family vacation, Luka aspirated a small amount of pool water. His mother, Cassie—an ICU nurse—initially thought it might be pneumonia. But within days, Luka’s breathing became faster, and Cassie’s instincts told her something wasn’t right. On June 3, Luka was life-flighted to Dallas Children’s Hospital, where scans revealed a large tumor pressing against his left lung. The next day, Luka underwent surgery to insert a chest tube. He spent five days in the ICU on high-flow oxygen before beginning his first round of chemotherapy.

He is now in the oncology unit, still fighting. The tumor has not spread to distant organs, but it has already collapsed his left lung once. A second round of chemotherapy is scheduled for June 25. The hope is that the fluid buildup around his lung will subside and his breathing will improve. In the meantime, Luka’s parents, Cassie and Carlos, have not left his side. Because Cassie works in an ICU setting and her son is now immunocompromised, she is unable to return to work until his treatment is more stable. The emotional and financial toll has been immense.

That’s why, as Luka continues his fight, the Mahomes family is asking the public for one thing: prayers. But for those who want to do more, Randi has also pointed toward a fundraiser. Her story also features a link titled “HELP LUKA FIGHT STAGE L2 INTERMEDIATE NEUROBLASTOMA,” directing followers to a GoFundMe page that could help support Luka’s journey better.

A Fundraiser to support Luka’s treatment

To help with Luka’s rapidly escalating medical costs, a verified GoFundMe campaign has been launched by Melanie Stillwell, a relative based in Henderson, Texas. The campaign—titled “Support Luka’s Battle Against Neuroblastoma”—shares intimate details about Luka’s condition and features photos that capture both the severity of his illness and his resilient spirit.

At the time of writing, the fundraiser has collected $1,795 of its $2,800 goal through 22 donations. The top donation of $500 came from Randi G. Mahomes herself. Other family and friends have followed suit, offering support in both dollars and words.

With another round of chemo scheduled for June 25, the family is preparing for more hospital days, more waiting, and hopefully, healing.“Please pray for this sweet family as they are going through one of the hardest trials of their lives,” the page reads.

It’s in moments like these, football fades into the background. This is about family, faith, and a little boy with a long road ahead. And it’s about the people—like Randi—who, even after a year of personal heartbreak, continue to show up for others when it matters most.