NORTH HOLLYWOOD, LOS ANGELES (KABC) —Β Community members gathered Saturday for a special blood drive to honor the life of Johnny Wactor, the former “General Hospital” actor who was gunned down last year.
The event was held at the Stuart Rogers Studios in North Hollywood in partnership with Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.
Wactor, who was on the ABC soap opera for two years, was fatally shot in May 2024 in downtown Los Angeles while trying to stop a catalytic converter theft.
Friends said giving back to others is something Wactor would’ve done, and a blood drive is the perfect way to honor his generous nature.
“We lost him way too soon, and he would be here, plain and simple, and that’s why I’m here,” said Andrew Oliveri, a friend of Wactor’s.
Friends hope that by hosting the blood drive, they can also help save lives.
“Keeping Johnny’s name alive is so important to us,” said organizer Aubree Bowen. “He was an incredible person and deserves to be recognized, and no one deserves to die like that. Catalytic converter thefts are a big problem. He never should have lost his life.”
Organizers said 58 people donated blood this year. Another blood drive is set for Aug. 29, 2026, which is two days before Wactor’s ππ’π«ππ‘day.
“We can’t save Johnny, but we can save other people,” said supporter Glenn Taranto. “That’s what Johnny would have done. He was a all about giving. He was a selfless human being and always thought of others first. He saved someone’s life and we’re saving other people’s life for Johnny.”
