Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Anderson was mostly absent from the state senate due to him having Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. As the Democratic Party only held a one-seat majority in the state senate with Anderson they were reduced to a tie in the state senate which allowed the Republican Party to take over multiple times with parliamentary rules. Chemotherapy eradicated Non-Hodgkin lymphoma in April 1995. He served as the grand marshal of the 21st gay pride parade in Seattle, but blood clots in his legs and lungs prevented him attending the parade in June.