Actor Gary Sinise confirmed his son McCanna "Mac" Anthony Sinise died on January 5. Mac was 33 years old and had battled Chordoma, a rare form of cancer, for five and a half years.
In a statement shared on Tuesday, Gary Sinise confirmed the death of his son, as Breitbart News reported.
The summer of 2018 was a rough one for Sinise and his family. His wife, Moira, was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer in June, and his son, Mac, was diagnosed with "a very rare cancer called Chordoma" on August 8, 2018.
“Chordoma is a one in a million cancer. Originating in the spine, Chordoma affects, on average, only 300 people in the U.S. per year. In 70% of the cases the initial tumor can be remove"
According to Sinise, Mac had a more difficult battle for five and a half years, while Moira went into remission and has been cancer-free after months of therapy.
Unfortunately, a follow-up scan in May 2019 revealed that "Chordoma had come back and was spreading." Mac had previously undergone surgery in September 2018 to remove the first tumor and another procedure in February 2019 to clear an apparent infection in his spine.
“This began a long battle that disabled him more and more as time went on,” Sinise explained. “The cancer fight was getting harder, but throughout most of 2019 he was still able to come to the GSF office, until a third spine surgery in November of that year.”
Mac was forced to resign from his position at the Gary Sinise Foundation (GSF), which was his father's charity and veterans service organization, in January 2020 so that he could focus on his fight.
“With Chordoma being such a rare form of cancer, there are very few medical centers doing research,” Sinise said. “During our long and challenging fight, we were blessed to have the support of the Chordoma Foundation.”
“They are the only organization whose sole mission, 24/7, is to find a cure for this rare orphan cancer and beat Chordoma,” the Of Mice and Men star added.
Mac, who had a deep love for music and had played the drums since he was nine years old, had been hard at work on an album called "Resurrection & Revival" while he fought his battle.
“The week the album went to press, Mac lost his battle with cancer,” Sinise revealed.
“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. My heart goes out to all who have suffered a similar loss, and to anyone who has lost a loved one,” the Forrest Gump actor said.
“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,” Sinise added. “He fought an uphill battle against a cancer that has no cure, but he never quit trying.”
