Gary Sinise’s wife diagnosed with same illness that killed son

Grief-stricken Gary Sinise has been hit with a terrible blow following the passing of his son, McCanna Anthony “Mac” Sinise, aged 33.

The actor and humanitarian revealed this week that his son had lost his battle with cancer in January, and that the family had been heartbroken in the weeks since.

It wasn’t too long ago that Gary’s wife, Moira Harris Sinise, was diagnosed with cancer as well.

Mac’s death

As previously reported, 68-year-old Gary shared the heartbreaking news of Mac’s death on the Gary Sinise Foundation‘s website and his Instagram page, revealing that Mac sadly lost his battle to cancer on January 5.

In a heartfelt statement, Gary explained that Mac had been battling a rare form of cancer called Chordoma since August 8, 2018.

The devastated father spoke about the profound grief of losing a child, writing: “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. 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.”

He continued: “Our family’s cancer fight lasted for 5 ½ 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.”

News of Mac’s passing comes not long after Gary’s wife, Moira went through her own cancer journey.

Moira’s cancer battle

In the summer of 2018, the Sinise family was rocked by a series of challenges. Moira received a cancer diagnosis, followed by devastating news: Mac was also fighting cancer. Gary expressed his shock at the double diagnosis, describing it in an update on his website as a “real punch in the gut.”

For Moira, facing her own health battle while witnessing her son’s struggle was an immense test of strength. This strength was not new to her; throughout her life, she had shown resilience in overcoming various obstacles.

In the mid-1990s, Moira grappled with alcoholism, compounded by complications from multiple back surgeries. In an interview with Forbes, Gary described her escalating dependency on alcohol as alarming, admitting his struggle to help her break free from its grip. Seeking support, he turned to AI-Anon Family Groups, finding solace among others facing similar challenges.

After two stints in rehab, Moira emerged victorious, remaining sober for nearly three decades. However, her resilience would be further tested when she was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer in 2018. Despite the grueling treatments, she achieved remission and remained cancer-free.

Amid Moira’s battle with cancer, tragedy struck the family as Mac’s health deteriorated. Despite their efforts, Mac lost his battle with cancer on January 5, 2024, leaving his parents heartbroken.

Reflecting on Moira’s unwavering dedication to her son, Gary spoke about the profound bond between them, saying: “While I worked hard to manage the day-to-day medical care, [Mac’s] beautiful mother Moira was his constant companion. He loved her so.”