Two years ago, doctors diagnosed Daviess County native John Anderson with Glioblastoma (GBM), a fast-growing and aggressive brain tumor. Looking for guidance, he did what he does on several afternoons at his family farm in Whitesville: he went for a walk.
Medical experts said the average life expectancy for individuals with GBM is 8 months, and here Anderson is 2 years later: stable with no recurrences. He wrote a book titled “I Was Ten Years Old When I Went for a Walk” to document his health journey, reflect on life, inspire, and help others.
Readers from across the country rave about Anderson’s book on Amazon and Barnes & Noble, where it reached No. 1-selling status across several categories. Anderson and his wife Kathy, who’s been with him every step of the way, are donating all of the money they generate from the book to GBM research.
“When I went for the walk, I was praying to God and searching for a purpose,” Anderson said. “The thought came to me to write a book, and I can only assume it came from God. He indicated that He would help, and that’s what the book is about – being prayerful and recognizing His presence and gifts in our lives, especially during times of trouble.”
As Anderson details in the book, he traveled to the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota for surgery immediately following the diagnosis. Upon returning home, he and Kathy had to decide where to venture for chemo and radiation treatment.
Struggling to decide, he went for another walk in search of answers. Upon returning home, Kathy informed him she had just spoken with her sister, who has a close friend with a house they could use as long as they desired in Gainesville near the University of Florida Health Center, innovators in the industry.
“Kathy gave me a big hug when I returned from my walk and said, ‘We’re going to Gainesville,’” Anderson said.
Anderson said the miracles didn’t end there. While experimental trials across the U.S. were limited because of the COVID-19 pandemic, doctors at the University of Florida asked him if he would consider participating in one.
With no cure available and a desire to help others, he said yes.
What was supposed to be a 6-week stint in Florida for standard-of-care treatment turned into an 8-month trial study.
Often joined by Kathy, Anderson continued his walks in Gainesville, going for a casual stroll after one of his many treatments. The treks offered a time to reflect on his many life experiences and aspirations moving forward.
One such experience occurred when he was 10 years old and inspired the book’s title when he left his faith in Christ to chance.
“I went for a walk when I was 10, and when I returned, I threw my basketball the length of the driveway to the hoop, telling God if I made it, I would know He was there,” Anderson said.
Swoosh.
Despite incredibly low odds, the young Anderson made the shot, accepted Christ, and has been working on his faith ever since.
“My faith is made perfect through Christ. As humans, we can’t do anything perfect, but with Christ, we can make up for that,” he said. “Even during tragedies when you feel like you’ve been hit really hard, God is still there giving you gifts. It’s tough to see when you’ve been knocked down, but they are there and constant.”
While he’s not cycling, flying experimental planes, and hang gliding like he was a few years ago, Anderson continues to make the most of life. He’s continuing his walks, spending time with family and friends, working on his farm, and cherishing every moment.
“I Was Ten Years Old When I Went for a Walk” is available at Barnes & Noble and on Amazon.
“I want the book to help others,” Anderson said. “I just wanted God to help me enough, where if someone read it, they would feel better.”
