Gary Sinise, known for his acting career and humanitarian efforts, has opened up about the profound challenges his family faced in recent years due to cancer. That path started in 2018 when both Sinise’s son, Mac, and his wife, Moira Harris, were hit with life-changing diagnoses. Sinise’s family lost his son after a long, painful 5 1/2-year battle with cancer that included multiple surgeries and rounds of chemotherapy.
Mac was ultimately diagnosed with chordoma, a type of rare, slow-growing cancer that develops in the spine and skull. His therapy was initiated in 2018, and he spent six of the first eight months of 2020 in the hospital. Survival often averages around ten years with significant variability based on the tumor site and surgical intervention. Sinise called the combination of events a “one-two punch” for the family. Complications were immediate and severe, as that year, his wife was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer.
Even amidst these struggles, there was heartwarming triumph with the appearance of Moira Harris, who after incredible treatment, came through stage 4 cancer free. The family’s happiness felt bittersweet with Mac still in a fierce, ongoing fight against cancer.
“It looked like a monster grabbing my son’s spine,” – Gary Sinise
Sinise made the decision to step back from acting in 2020 so that he could focus on keeping his family’s health—especially during such a turbulent period—forward. Alex focused every waking moment on making a miracle happen for Mac, focusing all his energy towards helping his son survive treatment.
“I started putting everything I had into trying to find a miracle for Mac,” – Gary Sinise
Tragically, Mac died at some point, leaving an enormous vacuum in Sinise’s life. The actor has since passionately mourned while celebrating Mac’s free spirit. On the Gary Sinise Foundation website, he posted that they are missing him very much. While the move is bittersweet, they take solace in knowing that he is no longer suffering.
“Our family’s cancer fight lasted for 5 1/2 years, and it became more and more challenging as time went on. 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 fought an uphill battle against a cancer that has no cure, but he never quit trying.” – Gary Sinise
Sinise continues to engage with families affected by loss as he hosts the National Memorial Day Concert in Washington, D.C. And he says his encounters with these families have ripped his heart out.
“Over the years I have met so many families of our fallen heroes. It’s heartbreaking, and it’s just damn hard,” – Gary Sinise
Sinise has taken a step back from acting. He is profoundly committed to preserving his son’s legacy as well as uplifting others who are going through similar tragedies. He argues that this journey has changed his focus. It has driven his resolve to stand up for cancer warriors and their families.
