'All My Children' star Cameron Mathison asks for prayers after renal cancer diagnosis

Former "All My Children" star Cameron Mathison is asking his fans for prayers and positive thoughts after revealing his battle with renal cancer.

The television host originally shared his health diagnosis on his Hallmark Channel show "Home and Family" Monday before turning to his Instagram account. 

He posted a picture of himself alongside his wife, Vanessa, and their two children Tuesday, writing, "I have a health situation that I want to share with you all."

"About a month ago, I had an MRI for some gut issues I’ve been having, and during that MRI they found a tumor on my right kidney," wrote Mathison, 50. "It’s consistent with Renal Cell Carcinoma … or kidney cancer."

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Mathison said he's "extremely lucky that we found it early," adding that the tumor "hasn’t spread to any other organs."

"They say my healthy lifestyle and diet has no doubt helped keep it from growing and spreading to other areas, as doctors think it’s been growing in me for minimum 10 years," he wrote. 

He said he's having surgery to remove the tumor on Thursday: "I was hoping to receive positive thoughts, prayers, or whatever you feel comfortable with, on 9/12."

Mathison gave a special shoutout to his family for being "absolutely amazing with their love and support." He also thanked his parents and brother, in addition to his colleagues at the Hallmark Channel, "Entertainment Tonight" and "Home and Family."

"Feeling very grateful and optimistic," he concluded.

Mathison is best known for playing Ryan Lavery on "All My Children" from 1998 to 2011. His other acting credits include Hallmark Channel movies like "A Christmas to Remember" and "Very, Very Valentine," plus guest roles on shows including "Desperate Housewives" and "Castle."

His résumé also includes many hosting gigs. Mathison hosted the Daytime Emmy Awards in 2006 and 2008. In 2015, he joined "Entertainment Tonight" as a weekend correspondent and became a co-host of Hallmark's "Home and Family" in 2018 alongside Debbie Matenopoulos.

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