John J. York, who has starred as Mac Scorpio on General Hospital since 1991, took to X (formerly Twitter) to explain his recent absence from the soap opera.
“I said I was going to give you an update on the reason I’m taking a little hiatus from General Hospital,” he began. “And here it is… “
The actor went on to explain his hiatus was due to being diagnosed with two blood and bone marrow disorders in December 2022.
“Last December, of ’22, I was diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome or MDS and smoldering multiple myeloma, two blood and bone marrow disorders,” York shared.
Myelodysplastic syndrome is a type of cancer where “immature blood cells in the bone marrow do not mature or become healthy blood cells.”
Robin Roberts, co-host of Good Morning America, was diagnosed with MDS in 2012. She underwent intense chemotherapy before receiving a life-saving bone marrow transplant.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, smoldering multiple myeloma is a rare disorder that can lead to multiple myeloma, a rare blood cancer.
“Over the past many months, I’ve had three bone marrow biopsies, many chemo treatments — I have another one coming up in a couple of weeks — and I am closing in on a blood stem cell transplant.”
After the actor explained he has been working with Be the Match to find a donor, he encouraged fans to consider joining the registry.
“Not just for me for for thousands and thousands of other people who are in need of a donor.”
Despite the disheartening news, York promised this “isn’t goodbye,” but merely a small break.
“I’ll have to take a break for three, maybe four months. But I’ll be back!”
Before you go, make sure to catch up on the latest about on Ozzy Osbourne’s health.
We’re sending our prayers to John J. York, and we can’t wait to see him back on General Hospital!
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