General Hospital's John J. York Opens Up About His Return to Set After Illness, Praises 'Supportive' Co-Workers

General Hospital actor John J. York is feeling overwhelmed with love.

Speaking further Good morning America on Monday, June 17, York — who plays Malcolm “Mac” Scorpio on the soap — opened up about his return to the set after being diagnosed with two forms of cancer in September 2023.

“Everyone was very welcoming, very supportive,” he said before breaking down in tears. “And here, I’ve already started from the top because I can’t describe to you how nice it was, the support I got.”

York, 65, revealed last year that he had been diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and multiple smoldering myeloma, two blood and bone marrow disorders.

‘General Hospital’ star John J. York is approaching his cancer diagnosis with a positive attitude

Kristina Wagner and John J. York in ‘General Hospital’.

ABC/Todd Wawrychuk

“I said, ‘How long would I have if I didn’t do anything,'” York recalled GMA what he asked the doctor. “He said, ‘3-5 years.’ I was like, ‘3-5 years, are you crazy? I feel fantastic!'”

York opted for the most aggressive form of treatment, finding a bone marrow donor and undergoing chemotherapy. However, he continued to work throughout. “Seven days of chemotherapy in Tennessee and then I was available to work usually three weeks in California,” he said.

“My philosophy has always been, ‘One day at a time, let’s just survive today,'” he added. “I made the announcement and it helped and so many people joined the registry just to help save someone’s life.”

Kristina Wagner as Felicia Scorpio and John J. York as Mac Scorpio on ‘General Hospital’.

ABC/Ricky Middlesworth

‘General Hospital’ Star John J. York Reveals 2 Blood and Marrow Disorder Diagnoses: ‘This Is Not Goodbye’

Overcome with multiple emotions, York then spoke about the moment he found out he had a matching stem cell donor.

“She said we found an exact match and I just couldn’t speak,” 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 that his cells “are now fighting each other and fighting each other and getting to know each other.”

“And here we are, back to work,” York added.

Meanwhile, the star also revealed that he doesn’t feel like he’s missing anything General Hospital for feeling very 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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Source: HIS Education