South Shields, UK – At 68 years old, retired senior cancer nurse specialist John Walker Pattison stands as one of the UK’s longest surviving cancer patients—and a beacon of hope for thousands. A life defined by perseverance, tragedy, and an unshakeable belief in the human spirit, Pattison continues to inspire through the release of his award-winning memoir, ‘Shadow of a Survivor,’ and a recent visit to a U.S. children’s hospital.
Diagnosed with stage IV cancer as a teenager, Pattison endured one of the most aggressive chemotherapy regimens of the seventies. The prognosis was grim; the words still echo: “You will not survive…” But against all odds, he did.
Less than a decade later, he faced unimaginable heartbreak when his four-year-old daughter, Donna, was diagnosed with terminal leukaemia. The pain of watching his child suffer was unimaginable—but it only deepened his empathy and resolve.
Yet amidst the darkness, Pattison found light in unexpected places. The music of Hawkwind, the pioneering space rock band, became a lifeline—a source of strength and spiritual escape during his darkest days. In 2007, in a moment he describes as “surreal and sacred,” Pattison stepped onto the stage to perform with his musical heroes, fulfilling a dream born decades earlier in a hospital bed.
Equally, influential was his deep reverence for the Lakota Sioux people, whose spirituality, strength, and connection to the land offered him a philosophy of endurance and dignity. Their traditions shaped his worldview and instilled in him a profound respect for resilience in the face of suffering. In 2018, Pattison spent a week on Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, in South Dakota – at the end of his visit, he was humbled, to be made an honorary member of the Tribal Council.
In a powerful full-circle moment that speaks to the essence of his life’s work—healing and hope—Pattison was recently invited to speak to the children at St. Christopher’s Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia, USA.
From cancer wards to festival stages, from storybooks to tribal councils, John Walker Pattison’s journey continues to touch lives around the world—reminding us that even in the darkest moments, hope has a heartbeat.
His message is simple but profound: “Life is not a rehearsal. Never look back unless you can be reflective, and never look forward unless you can dream.”
“There is much less written about surviving cancer and John excels in his description of this complex process.”
Maggie St. Thomas. Jerk of all Trades Magazine, Los Angeles.
A first-hand, fifty-year journey from terminal cancer patient to senior cancer nurse specialist—told by one of the UK’s longest cancer survivors.
“It’s more than a cancer story—it’s a story of purpose, humanity, and turning pain into power.” Mike Briggs. Central Valley Radio, California.
“His narration of his diagnosis as a teenager and how his life changes, take the reader on an emotional rollercoaster ride.”
Kirsty McKay. Manager, The Book Dragon.
“John Pattison’s story is more than survival—it’s a symphony of resilience, raw vulnerability, and the unexpected poetry of suffering. I recommend this to anyone searching for light in their own darkness. This book heals.”
Anthony Aragon. Goodreads review, 2025.
