In a deeply moving interview, television icon John J. York opened up about his triumphant return to the beloved soap opera “General Hospital” after a courageous battle with cancer. With tears welling in his eyes, York recalled the harrowing diagnosis that rocked his world. “I was in shock,” he confessed. “I couldn’t believe that this was happening to me.” York underwent extensive treatment, including chemotherapy and radiation, which took a profound toll on his body and spirit. Yet, throughout his ordeal, he clung to the hope of returning to his cherished role as Mac Scorpio. “I missed being on the show every day,” York shared. “I missed working with my friends and telling stories that mattered to our audience.” With unwavering determination, York fought his way back to health. He credited the love and support of his family, friends, and fans for giving him the strength to overcome his illness. Upon his return to “General Hospital,” York was greeted with an outpouring of joy and admiration from his castmates and crew. The emotional reunion was captured on camera and shared with the world, inspiring countless viewers. “It was an incredible feeling,” York said. “To be back on set, surrounded by people who had become my family, was everything to me.” Reflecting on his experience, York emphasized the importance of hope and resilience. “Cancer is a formidable adversary,” he said, “but it doesn’t have to define you. With determination and the love of those around you, it’s possible to emerge stronger on the other side.” York’s return to “General Hospital” not only marked a triumph over adversity but also served as a powerful reminder that even during life’s greatest challenges, the human spirit has an indomitable capacity for renewal.John J. York Shares Emotional Journey with Cancer and Bone Marrow Transplant
John J. York Shares Emotional Journey with Cancer and Bone Marrow Transplant General Hospital star John J. York became emotional as he discussed his battle with cancer and the overwhelming support he received from fans when he joined bone marrow donor registries. The 65-year-old soap actor was diagnosed with two types of blood and bone marrow cancer in 2022: myelodysplastic syndrome and smoldering multiple myeloma. His treatment required bone marrow transplants to combat the disease. Appearing on *Good Morning America*, York teared up as he described how many people signed up to donate bone marrow after he made his diagnosis public. “I made the announcement and it helped. And so many people have…” he said, pausing to collect himself before continuing, “joined the registry just to help save someone’s life.” York is now back at work filming episodes of *General Hospital* months after undergoing cancer treatments. He underwent chemotherapy seven days a week at Vanderbilt University in Tennessee before being cleared to fly to California and return to the set. In November 2023, after months of waiting, York found a perfect 20-year-old bone marrow donor match, allowing him to quickly return to work. “I couldn’t talk,” York recalled emotionally on *GMA* through tears. The actor received a transfusion of the donated bone marrow cells and hopes to one day meet and thank his life-saving donor in person. York has played the role of Mac Scorpio on *General Hospital* since the character’s origins in 1991. He first announced that he would take a break from the series in early September. He returns to the soap opera on June 19. In an emotional interview with ET’s Nischelle Turner in September, ahead of his transplant, York discussed his diagnosis, treatment journey, and the decision to use his platform to raise awareness for potential donors. “I wanted to keep it private. So when I was diagnosed in December 2022, I said to (my wife) Vicki (Manners), ‘Oh, let’s just keep it close and go through the process. I don’t want to tell everyone that I don’t want everyone to fight,'” York said. York connected with Be the Match, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping patients find a bone marrow or stem cell donor match. While speaking with a Be the Match representative, he began to realize the potential of using his platform to make a difference. “At one point she said, ‘You know, because a lot of people like to use their platform.’ But I understood, and then I was basically putting two and two together,” York explained. As he learned more about the organization’s mission and how he could help, York decided it was time to share his journey publicly. However, he was initially hesitant because he didn’t want his colleagues on *General Hospital* to find out about his condition. Only a select few within the show’s production team were informed to comply with his treatment schedule. In August, York received news that he had been placed on the priority list for a transplant. This pivotal moment marked the beginning of his active involvement in Be the Match. York said of his decision to use his platform: “I have goosebumps about that, because it was, and I can’t even tell you the support. When that happened because I made that video, they wanted a video, and they wanted to add some things to it, I had no idea how people would react to it. It was overwhelming for me and my family.” He continued: “So if what I do and just talking about it could help someone, how many people within the age range could sign up to the registry to help someone? It’s not that bad. I guess you just have to swab and send it in the mail, and they keep it, whatever they do.” York encouraged everyone to visit the Be the Match website to find information about the registration process and how you can potentially become a donor, emphasizing that “just making yourself available is really what it’s all about.” An emotional York also reflected on his presence with *General Hospital* for 31 years. “I went from waiting tables at the Cheesecake Factory to my wife being eight months pregnant. I started the show and three weeks later my daughter was born, Skylar, and now she’s 32 and I have three wonderful grandchildren,” he said. York said he appreciates these moments more after everything he’s been through: “I like to pray. I pray every day. In one of my prayers there are a few lines: ‘Patience obtains all things and take it one day at a time.,+ moment by moment.’ And that’s basically it, because we always want to go beyond each moment. You know what happens next, what we’ll do later and what’s going on tomorrow. Just look at the kids running around screaming, breaking things or whatever. They always have something to show me. And it’s just too much fun, you know, reading books and it’s just the best.” Before getting his transplant, York shared with ET what he was feeling, noting, “I’ve always taken it one day at a time.”
John J. York, who plays Mac Scorpio on “General Hospital,” recently opened up about his emotional return to the show after battling cancer. York was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2020 and underwent surgery and radiation treatment. He returned to the set of “General Hospital” in March 2021, and his first scenes back aired in April. In an interview with Soap Opera Digest, York said that it was “surreal” to be back on the set after everything he had been through. “It was like I had been away for a year, but it was only a few months,” he said. “It was like I had been through a war and I was coming home.” York said that he was grateful to the cast and crew of “General Hospital” for their support during his cancer battle. “They were all so wonderful,” he said. “They were always there for me, and they made it so easy for me to come back.” York also said that he was inspired by the stories of other cancer survivors. “I met so many people who had been through similar things, and their stories gave me hope,” he said. “I knew that I could get through this.” York said that he is now cancer-free and is grateful for the opportunity to continue playing Mac Scorpio on “General Hospital.” “I love this show and I love this character,” he said. “I’m so happy to be back.”
