NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE: John J York recently made headlines due to serious health issues. The 64-year-old 'General Hospital' star said he sensed something was awry when his doctor asked if his wife of 37 years, Vicki Manners, could join a conference call.
At that point, he revealed the cancer diagnosis.
The actor, who is also known for 'Werewolf' and 'All My Children', has been married to Vicki Manners since 15 August, 1986.
They have one child, a daughter named Schyler, per IMDb.
Just a few days ago, the veteran actor described how he received two cancer diagnoses in December of last year: multiple smoldering myeloma and myelodysplastic syndromes, both of which affect the blood and bone marrow.
John York about his cancer diagnosis
In a recent interview with People, York discussed how he overcame his cancer diagnosis, the agonizing moments when his wife and daughter learned, and the therapies he has so far undergone - all the while remaining upbeat.
York described his attitude as "it's just another thing that I gotta now take care of."
"I went through life with colonoscopies, medicines, the whole thing, and always had to be under doctor's care," he admitted, before adding that "everything is in order."
How did John York reveal his cancer diagnoses to Vicki Manners?
His doctor maintained a close eye on a place that just didn't heal while he was getting regular examinations for those pre-existing diseases.
He started taking pills for light chemotherapy after that. But in October 2022, his hematologist — a medical professional who specializes in blood disorders — suggested a bone marrow biopsy.
When York's doctor asked him on December 9, 2022, "Is your wife available for a conference call?", he immediately thought, "That can't be good."
His cancer diagnoses would come a short while later.
How did John York's wife Vicki Manners react?
Manners took the initiative to start asking all the questions during the conference call as soon as the confirmation came in.
York asked one question at the end of their discussion, "Why do I feel so good?"
The doctor remarked, "That was because we got it early," which was good news for the soap opera star after the patient explained how he stays in excellent form through exercise and food.
They initially made the choice to hold off telling their daughter Skyler the news until they had settled into Tennessee.
However, after two restless nights, he changed his mind and had his wife call Schyler.
John York's chemotherapy treatments
In his description of his chemotherapy treatments, York compared them to "waiting to get a table at a restaurant."
"It's like about a 15–20 minute infusion for seven days in a row, and then 28 days after the first day of that infusion cycle. I had one in March, April, May, June, July, August, and now I'm gonna have another one coming up in September."
John York moved up on the donor priority list
York has reportedly just moved up the donor priority list, and he believes they are very close to matching him with a bone marrow donor. "I'm excited about that," he stated.
"Many of my family members tested. I believe that the age range is like 18 to 40 to join the registry at bethematch.org/matchformac."
How did John York and Vicki Manners meet?
York made the decision to relocate to California in 1983 in order to try acting. The following year, Vicki, who would become his wife, was cast for the movie 'Chattanooga Choo-Choo'. Two years later, they got married.
