Gary Sinsie’s son, McCanna “Mac” Sinise, recently passed away at the age of 33 following a battle with a rare form of cancer known as chordoma, which originates in the spine. Mac spent nearly five and a half years fighting chordoma, which is estimated to affect about 300 people per year in the U.S.
The famous actor revealed on his website that Mac had passed away on the afternoon of Jan. 5, 2024. “Like any family experiencing such a loss, we are heartbroken and have been managing as best we can. As parents, it is so difficult losing a child,” Sinise wrote. He added, “My heart goes out to all who have suffered a similar loss, and to anyone who has lost a loved one. We’ve all experienced it in some way. Over the years I have met so many families of our fallen heroes. It’s heartbreaking, and it’s just damn hard.”
Sinise continued describing how his family has courageously endured the hardships of cancer for over half a decade. He noted that, while it is heartbreaking to have lost his son, it is reassuring to know that he is no longer suffering from the challenges of the disease.
“Our family’s cancer fight lasted for 5 ½ years, and it became more and more challenging as time went on,” the actor stated. “While our hearts ache at missing him, we are comforted in knowing that Mac is no longer struggling, and inspired and moved by how he managed it,” he said.
Sinise explained the sheer courage demonstrated by his son to take chordoma head-on, fighting it in a manner similar to that of a resilient soldier fighting in the First World War. “He fought an uphill battle against a cancer that has no cure, but he never quit trying. Mac loved movies, and we always told him he reminded us of the soldier at the end of the extraordinary film ‘1917,’ running through the battlefield, bombs going off all around him, knocking him down one after the other, yet he keeps getting back up, refusing to quit and keeps running forward,” he continued. “I am so blessed, fortunate, and proud to be his dad,” Sinise added.
Cancer impacts millions of people around the world and is always a challenge for its patients and their family members to endure. “Our story is not unique. No one escapes cancer. It affects us all, as every one of us in this life knows someone, personally or otherwise, who has faced this awful disease,” Sinise said.
Despite the hardships Mac’s family and friends endured throughout his battle, Sinise explained how much of an inspiration he was to everyone around him. “In sharing our story, we hope to shine a little bit of light on what has been a difficult time for us as Mac was truly a light for all of us. An incredible inspiration to those who knew and loved him, he faced his battle with grace, courage, and love,” the actor said.
Mac was also a devout Catholic who turned to God as a source of hope during his fight against chordoma. Sinise noted his son’s favorite quote from St. Augustine: “You have made us for yourself oh Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.”
Featured image: Gary Sinise Foundation
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