Matt Damon Opens Up About His Sick Father, Asks For Prayers

Oscar winner Matt Damon has been open about discussing his father Kent Damon’s battle with multiple myeloma, an incurable form of cancer. The actor recently had to cancel an appearance at BAFTA Los Angeles event due to a “family emergency” involving his dad and in a recent interview, he opened up to “Extra” about his father’s battle illness.

“It’s been a slow, unfolding. My dad’s sick, so that’s been a process we’re going through,” Damon said. “We’ll take any prayers you got, so throw ’em up there.”

Damon’s father has been fighting the treatable but incurable disease since at least 2011. Multiple myeloma causes cancer cells to develop in bone marrow and eventually, “myeloma cells crowd out healthy white blood cells and red blood cells, leading to fatigue and an inability to fight infections,” according to Mayo Clinic.

When Damon and his dad first spoke out about the disease at a benefit for Massachusetts General Hospital, the actor admitted he didn’t think something like this would happen to his family.

“We’ve lost some close personal friends to cancer in recent years, but I never thought it would happen to my dad, the marathon runner,” he said.

Since his call for prayers, fans have tweeted hopeful messages to the Damon family.

After announcing the news about the cancer battle a few years ago, Damon said his dad would “fight it to a standstill.”

In the past, the actor’s father has gushed about his son. “He’s all you could ever for ask for in a son. It’s been a wonderful ride being his dad,” he said.

Damon is the father to four daughters of his own, and clearly, family is something he cares about deeply. “I never expected to be surrounded by girls, but it’s great. … You never know which way life’s going to take you,” the actor told the “TODAY” show of his all-girl family.

You never know which way life is going to take you, indeed. We’re wishing all the best for the Damon family throughout this difficult time.

[TODAY]