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‘General Hospital’ Star Reveals Cancer Diagnosis, Paul Reubens’ Cause of Death Confirmed and More

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As The Los Angeles Rams celebrate a cancer survivor and a 9/11 survivor reveals his fourth cancer diagnosis, this is what’s happening in the oncology space this week.

A 9/11 survivor was diagnosed with melanoma four times.

Courtney Clark, 44, was blocks away from the World Trade Center when the Twin Towers fell In New York City. Now, 22 years later, she has linked her fourth melanoma diagnosis to 9/11.

"It took almost 20 years to even realize that it was the cause of all of these other issues in my life," Clark, who now lives in Austin, Texas, told USA TODAY.

Clark now serves as a consultant, speaker and author, while raising her adopted child. Clark was unable to carry a biological child due to to her health conditions.

In 2005, Clark had noticed a mole growing and visited her dermatologist, shortly being diagnosed with stage 1B-2A invasive malignant melanoma. Once it was removed, it came back two years later.

"When it came back the second time, the oncologist said, 'it's not common for it to come back, like most people get melanoma one time, and then they don't get it again, and you're being so careful in the sun, but it's not unheard of.' And then it came back a third time. And then it came back a fourth time. And it's like, 'what is going on here?” Clark added.

Clark now gets scanned every six months and has regular checkups with her dermatologist.

The Los Angeles Rams celebrated a 13-year-old fan for beating cancer.

The Los Angeles Rams celebrated not only their season opener win this past Sunday, but also a young fan who is now cancer free.

Silas Hoffman, 13-year-old cancer survivor, who was diagnosed three years ago after experiencing joint pain and fatigue, celebrated with the team.

"My journey has made me stronger. It's made me wiser and more patient. It's changed me forever. I'm happy to be alive and cancer free," said Hoffman, according to ABC7.

"We learned his favorite player was Jalen Ramsey, and Jalen jumped at the opportunity to film a video to surprise Silas and let him know he was going to be a crucial catch captain and invite him to the game that weekend," said David Weingarten, L.A. Rams manager of community affairs and engagement.

Ramsey flew out Hoffman to celebrate his end-of-treatment journey.

"It's meant a lot to know I have a really tight friendship with him. It's super surreal to know he's going to be there by my side," Silas explained.

Paul Reubens’ reason for death was confirmed.

Paul Reubens’, commonly known for his role as Pee-wee Herman, cause of death has finally been confirmed. Reubens died at age 70 in July due to acute hypoxic respiratory failure, a condition where the lungs fail to release adequate oxygen into the blood, leading to organ failure.

Read More: Paul Reubens, Actor Who Portrayed Pee-Wee Herman, Dies From Cancer

Reubens was diagnosed with both acute myelogenous leukemia and metastatic lung cancer.

Paul Reubens — who was best known for playing Pee-Wee Herman — died of cancer, according to a post on the actor's social media account.

Variety / Penske Media via Getty Images.

Paul Reubens — who was best known for playing Pee-Wee Herman — died of cancer, according to a post on the actor's social media account.

Variety / Penske Media via Getty Images.

One of the cancers, acute myelogenous leukemia, begins in the bone marrow “but most often it quickly moves into the blood,” according to the American Cancer Society.

Although Reubens rarely shared his diagnoses, he opened up to fans in July before his death.

“Please accept my apology for not going public with what I’ve been facing the last six years,” explained Reubens on his social media accounts. “I have always felt a huge amount of love and respect from my friends, fans and supporters. I have loved you all so much and enjoyed making art for you.”

Fans commented on the posts, describing Reubens as having ““bravely and privately fought cancer for years with his trademark tenacity and wit,” while also being ““A gifted and prolific talent, he will forever live in the comedy pantheon and in our hearts as a treasured friend and man of remarkable character and generosity of spirit,” the posts continued.

John J. York, star of “General Hospital” announced that he has been diagnosed with cancer.

Star of “General Hospital,” John J. York, revealed earlier this month that he would be taking a break from the show after being diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and smoldering myeloma.

According to the National Cancer Institute, MDS is a "group of cancers in which immature blood cells in the bone marrow do not mature or become healthy blood cells," while smoldering myeloma is defined as, "a precancerous condition that alters certain proteins in blood and/or increases plasma cells in bone marrow, but it does not cause symptoms of disease.”

"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’m closing in on a blood stem cell transplant," York, 64, explained on X, formerly known as Twitter. "I've been working with some wonderful people at Be The Match to find a potential donor on their registry."

York described just how important being a donor is, stating that, "If it’s possible and you would consider being a donor, joining their registry, for not just me but thousands and thousands of other people who are in need of a donor, go to bethematch.org/matchformac.”

York has been on television since 1982, but began his soap opera in 1991.

"I just want to say thanks for all the support over the years. This isn’t goodbye, this is just, ‘So long,'" he said. "I’ll have to take a break for at least three, maybe four months, but I’ll be back.”

For more news on cancer updates, research and education, don’t forget to subscribe to CURE®’s newsletters here.

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