“General Hospital”'s John J. York Opens Up About His Return to Set After Illness, Praises 'Supportive' Co-Workers
The actor was diagnosed with two forms of cancer in September 2023
GMA/X
John J. York on 'Good Morning America'General Hospital actor John J. York is feeling overwhelmed with love.
Speaking on Good Morning America on Monday, June 17, York — who plays Malcolm "Mac" Scorpio on the soap opera — opened up about his return to set following his diagnosis with two forms of cancer in September 2023.
“Everybody has been very welcoming, very supportive,” he said before breaking down in tears. “And here I go already right off the top ‘cause I can’t tell you how nice it’s been, the support that I’ve gotten.”
York, 65, revealed last year that he had been diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and multiple smoldering myelomas, which are two blood and bone marrow disorders.
Related: 'General Hospital' Star John J. York Approaches Cancer Diagnosis with Positive Attitude
ABC/Todd Wawrychuk
Kristina Wagner and John J. York on 'General Hospital'“I said, ‘How long would I have if I did nothing?’” York recalled on GMA of what he had asked the doctor. “He said, ‘3-5 years.’ I was like, ‘3-5 years, are you crazy? I feel fantastic!’”
York opted to go with the most aggressive form of treatment, finding a bone marrow donor and undergoing chemotherapy. However, he continued working the whole time. “Seven days of chemo in Tennessee and then I was available to work for usually three weeks in California,” he said.
“My philosophy was always, ‘One day at a time, let’s just get through today,” he added. “I made the announcement and it has helped and so many people have joined the registry just to help save someone’s life.”
ABC/Ricky Middlesworth
Kristina Wagner as Felicia Scorpio and John J. York as Mac Scorpio on 'General Hospital'Overcome with more emotion, York then spoke about the moment he found out he had a stem cell donor match.
“She said we found an exact match and I just couldn’t talk,” he said. “It’s just a little bag of blood and fluid and they put it in my body, 40 minutes later and now I’m this person.”
He went on to say his cells are “now fighting each other and battling each other and getting to know each other.”
“And here we are, back to work,” York added.
Meanwhile, the star also revealed that he didn’t feel like he missed anything from General Hospital due to feeling so attached to the show, adding that he felt like he just “had a little break.”
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General Hospital airs weekdays on ABC (check local listings).
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