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 the Bone Marrow Donor Registry.
The 65-year-old soap opera actor was diagnosed with two types of blood and bone marrow cancers: myelodysplastic syndrome and smoldering multiple myeloma following a routine checkup in 2022. His treatment required a bone marrow transplant to fight the disease.
according to National Cancer InstituteMyelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is a cancer in which “immature blood cells in the bone marrow fail to mature or become healthy blood cells.” also, Smoldering multiple myeloma is a Multiple myeloma is a slow-growing cancer that affects plasma cells, causing them to overproduce an antibody.
Appear in good morning americaYork broke down in tears 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. A lot of people -” he paused to collect himself before continuing, “joined the registry just to help save someone’s life.”
Yorke is now back at work filming the series general Hospital Months after receiving cancer treatment. He underwent chemotherapy seven days a week at Vanderbilt University in Tennessee and was then allowed to fly to California and return to the set.
In November 2023, after months of waiting, York found the perfect 20-year-old bone marrow donor match, allowing him to quickly return to work. NMDP called him to tell him they had found a perfect match. “I couldn’t speak,” York recalled emotionally. General Motors Association Through tears.
The actor received an infusion of donated bone marrow cells and hopes to one day meet and thank his lifesaving donor in person.
Yorke plays Mac Scorpio in the movie “Mac Scorpio” general Hospital Since creating the character in 1991, he first announced he will rest for a while Collection from early September. He will return to soap opera June 19th.
in a ET Emotional InterviewIn September, York discussed his diagnosis, treatment, and decision to use his platform to raise awareness among potential donors in an interview with Nischelle Turner.
“I did want to keep it a secret. So when I was diagnosed in December 2022, I told [my wife] Vicki [Manners], ‘Oh, let’s keep in touch and work through the process. I don’t want to tell everyone. I don’t want everyone to fight,” York shared.
York is connected to Become a match, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping patients find a bone marrow or stem cell donor match. In conversations with Be the Match representatives, 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 got it, and I put two and two together,” York explained.
As York learned more about the organization’s mission and how he could help, he decided it was time to share his journey publicly. However, he initially hesitated, not wanting his colleagues to general Hospital Understand his condition. Only a handful of people on the show’s production team were told to accommodate his treatment schedule.
In August, York received word that he had been put on the priority list for transplant. This pivotal moment marked the beginning of his active involvement in Be the Match.
Speaking about his decision to use his platform, Yorke said: “I get goosebumps about it because it does, and I can’t even tell you the support. When that happens, because I made that video , they wanted a video, they wanted a video and I didn’t know how people were going to react to it, so I’m glad I did it.
He continued, “So if what I’m doing and just talking about it might help someone out there, how many people in this age group can join the registry to help someone? It’s not a big deal. I miss you Just do a wipe and send it in the mail and they store it regardless of what they do.
York encourages everyone to visit Become a contest site Look for information about the registration process and how to become a donor, emphasizing that “just giving yourself the opportunity to participate is really what it’s all about.”
An emotional York also reflected on his experience to ET general Hospital 31 years. “I went from being a waitress at the Cheesecake Factory to my wife being eight months pregnant. I started the show and three weeks later my daughter Skylar was born and now she’s 32 and I have three wonderful grandchildren . ,”He said.
York shared that after all he’s been through, he appreciates these moments even more, “I love to pray. I pray every day. In one of my prayers, there are these lines: ‘Patience gains everything, take it one day at a time.’ , one moment at a time and that’s really it because we always want to transcend every moment and you know what’s going to happen next and what we’re going to do later and what’s going to happen tomorrow, just watching the kids screaming and running, Breaking things, or doing anything, they always show me something, you know, it’s just so fun to read, it’s the best.
Prior to receiving his transplant, Yorke shared his feelings with ET, noting, “I’m always taking my transplant one day at a time.”
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