John J. York shared his emotional first day back to General Hospital after health crisis

Since 1991, General Hospital’s John J. York has played Mac Scorpio, brother to super spy Robert Scorpio (Tristan Rogers). In 2023, he revealed to fans that he was battling two forms of cancer: myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and smoldering multiple myeloma. Fortunately, he soon found a bone marrow donor, and between that transplant and stem cell therapy, he was as good as new and returned to work in May 2024. He recently opened up about his return after such an arduous battle.

He got a great many hugs

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On a recent Daily Drama podcast, hosted by General Hospital stars Steve Burton (Jason Morgan) and Bradford Anderson (Damian Spinelli), York was a guest and went into great detail about his journey from discovering his ailment to his recovery. When York finally returned to work, Anderson noted that the first scene he did was with Spinelli, Maxie Jones (Kirsten Storms), and Felicia Scorpio (Kristina Wagner), Mac’s wife. Anderson was touched by York reuniting with Wagner, remarking,

Seeing that [reunion] was so beautiful. I mean, I was so privileged just to be there. Obviously, I was so glad to see you.

Anderson asked York to explain how that first day back went.

It was a very emotional day.

He started as tears welled up in his eyes. From driving in to walking to the building, everyone at the show welcomed him back, and he even got many hugs from co-workers, as he explained,

People just walked up and gave me hugs.

On the set, he noted,

People that I don't even know their names that are up in the rafters, you know, were coming down and giving me hugs. ‘It's so nice to have you back.’

He was welcomed by Wagner, Jon Lindstrom (Kevin Collins), and many other people including Anderson and Burton, who he thanked for sending messages supporting him.

It was amazing. And then just to do the scene and to watch the show - I actually did watch the show…

He started, but then noted TV watching was difficult with his kids and grandchildren around. But he was pleased with the scene and thought it was well executed and felt the audience really liked it.

I was rocking that new hairdo. You know, that soft little kitty cat fuzz. I kinda wanted to keep it but now it’s growing back.

A large smile ran across his face as he waved his hands around his hair.

I’m putting product in my hair, that’s how long it is now.

York also explained that he will be working with the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP), which is an information and support system for people who are going through what he did, and he will partake in PSAs to encourage people to become donors. He’ll be sharing that information on social media when the PSAs are completed.

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