Actor Gary Sinise recently opened up about the difficult year he's had following the loss of his son, Mac, and the unexpected support he received during that time. In an interview, Sinise shared his gratitude for the outpouring of love and condolences from friends, acquaintances, and even strangers after his son's passing in January.
Sinise described losing a child as an incredibly difficult experience but expressed thankfulness for the support he received. He was touched by the sheer volume of messages he received from people across the globe expressing their sympathy and offering comfort.
Mac Sinise passed away at the age of 33 from a rare form of cancer called chordoma. He was initially diagnosed in 2018. This rare cancer originates in the spine and affects a small number of individuals annually.
"The outpouring of love and condolence and heartbreak and support was overwhelming. And it was beautiful."
— Gary Sinise
After Mac's death, Sinise penned a heartfelt tribute on the Gary Sinise Foundation website, detailing his son's life, his contributions to the foundation, his love for music, his health struggles, and the release of his album. Sinise encouraged people to visit the foundation's website to read Mac's story and see the thousands of supportive messages received.
Sinise expressed gratitude for the 33 years he and his family had with Mac, describing him as a blessing. Prior to his son's diagnosis, Sinise's wife, Moira, battled stage 3 breast cancer in 2018 and ultimately went into remission. These family health challenges led Sinise to step away from acting in 2019 to focus on his family's well-being. The family relocated from Los Angeles to Nashville in 2021 to prioritize Mac's health.
Sinise recounted the overwhelming nature of dealing with both his wife's and son's diagnoses and the need to care for his ailing parents. He explained that supporting his son through his cancer journey became a full-time endeavor, particularly as Mac's condition progressed and required increasing care.
Before his passing, Mac contributed his musical talents to the Gary Sinise Foundation, which supports veterans and first responders through various programs. He worked on music for the organization, which focuses on educational initiatives and community building.
