John Walker Pattison, a three-time award-winning author, describes himself as a dreamer. Born on February 4, 1957, in South Shields, he had an unconventional school life, leaving with few qualifications. His early years were marked by a love for football, particularly Newcastle United. In 1973, he started working in a shipyard, but his life took a drastic turn when diagnosed with cancer, with doctors saying he wouldn’t survive. Against the odds, he became one of the UK’s longest cancer survivors.

Years later, he faced heartbreak when his daughter, Donna, was diagnosed with terminal leukemia. Yet, like her father, she defied the odds and became an international swimmer for Team GB. After recovering from cancer, John returned to college in 1985, excelled in his studies, and became a respected nurse, specializing in haematology and oncology. He later won numerous awards for his work and became a prominent figure in the medical community.

John retired as a senior clinical nurse specialist due to chronic health issues from the treatment he received decades ago. His greatest support has always been his wife, June. In 2022, John published his memoir, Me, and My Shadow – Memoirs of a Cancer Survivor, sharing his journey to inspire others battling cancer.

John’s passion for storytelling, inspired by his grandson Daniel, led him to write children’s fiction. He is also deeply influenced by the history and spirituality of the Lakota Sioux, spending time on the Pine Ridge Reservation in 2018. When not writing, John enjoys fly-fishing and exploring secluded parts of America with June.