‘General Hospital’ Icon Recalls How Co-Stars Helped Him Through Terrifying Cancer Journey

John J. York returned to 'General Hospital' in 2024 after battling two rare blood cancers and a bone marrow transplant, and is now celebrating 35 years as beloved Mac Scorpio.

General Hospital's best dad and best cop, Mac Scorpio, has been back in action since 2024, when John J. York returned to the soap he's called home for more than three decades. The beloved actor had to take a hiatus from GH after being diagnosed with two different forms of blood cancer that required a bone marrow transplant. Love and Support Sustained John J. York York took time off from playing Mac in 2023 and 2024 to undergo treatment for myelodysplastic syndrome and smoldering multiple myeloma, two types of rare blood cancers.

He announced his diagnosis in a social media video in September of 2023. Not long after, he gave an interview to Good Morning America with a positive update about a bone marrow search. "Over the past many months, I've had three bone marrow biopsies, many chemo treatments, so I have another one coming up in a couple of weeks, and I'm closing in on a blood stem cell transplant," York said.

"I believe they found a match, perfect match, which will make me cry. So we're gonna start our testing and do all that kind of stuff coming up here in about a week. And then I believe the transplant will happen."

York underwent the transplant and took his time recovering while crime fighter Mac Scorpio was away on a special assignment. He's been back on the scene since 2024, and as he celebrates 35 years as all-around good guy Mac, York credits his longtime co-stars for playing a part in his recovery. The actor told Remind that he only needs checkups every few months now, as opposed to daily hospital visits.

However, that didn't mean the transplant process was emotionally easy. "There were times I was in the hospital, alone, and I was praying," he said. "My colleagues, Frank [Valentini, GH executive producer], Kristina [Wagner, Felicia), Jon Lindstrom

[Kevin], and others were all in touch, sending videos, sending support, and sending love." That family feeling is why York is so happy to be a part of the Port Charles family, saying, "GH is my home away from home. I love it.

I'm so grateful to be on this iconic show. Let's go for another 35 years." Read More From Closer Weekly

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