Hearts are breaking for beloved actor Gary Sinise. Sinise, best known for his role in Forrest Gump, posted a tribute to his son, Mac, after he passed away following a battle with chordoma, a form of cancer that affects the spine.
According to Sinise, Mac was just 33 years old when he died on January 5. He was laid to rest on January 23.
In Gary’s tribute to his son, the actor talked about working with his son when Mac jointed the “Gary Sinise Foundation as our Assistant Manager of Education & Outreach.”
“With his engaging and upbeat personality, he inspired folks through our Gary Sinise: A Call-to-Action exhibit in the Education & Outreach Center, and he assisted in everyday activities, and local and national events also. As a father, having him as part of the Foundation was a gift,” Gary wrote, adding he “was eager to watch him grow with the organization.”
Mac was also a drummer who occasionally filled in for the drummer of Gary’s Lt. Dan Band. “Those were some great times, father and son rockin’ out together for the troops.”
As Gary explained, Mac was diagnosed with the rare form of cancer in August 2018, just two months after Gary’s wife and Mac’s mother, Moira, was diagnosed with breast cancer.
“A real punch in the gut. I went online to see what I could find. 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 removed, and it is cured. But in 30% of the cases, perhaps about 90 people per year, the cancer returns.”
Sadly, after two procedures, one to remove the tumor and another to remedy an infection, Mac’s tumor returned and began to spread. For the next four years, Mac would fight.
While focusing on fighting the rare cancer, Mac still kept his interests alive starting podcast for the foundation and finishing a song he started back in college called Arctic Circles.
“The week the album went to press, Mac lost his battle with cancer. He died on January 5, 2024 at 3:25pm, and was laid to rest on January 23rd.”
Gary wrote, “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 proud father shared Mac’s music with the world on Youtube. “Included with the video of “Arctic Circles” is a special text message from Mac that I found on his phone after his death. He intended to post it as he was so happy to share this piece of music with you all.”
Our thoughts and prayers are with Gary and his family during this particularly difficult time.
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