It is with a heavy heart that we report the loss of one of our Midway Route Riders. “Curly” (Phoebe) is the daughter of one of our Road Guards, Tim “Big Bopper” Bannister. In 2022, “Bopper” and “Curly” rode the Midway Route and then also the Sandbox Route” together. Sharing RFTW with her Father was one of Curly’s “Bucket List” items. At the time of her FNG Run, she had been battling cancer for five years. It was an honor for us, the Midway Route Riders, to help her fulfill this dream. She brought so much joy to us all, and to see this father and daughter duo together was amazing.
But as much joy as we had sharing this dream with them, it meant even more to Curly and Bopper. In a letter that Tim shared with us this year, Curly wrote: “You will never know what a difference you made in my life. That week I felt like I was part of something much bigger than myself and my problems. I forgot about the cancer for the first time since I’d been diagnosed. Life’s worries melted away as I focused on the mission. I loved every moment of the journey and every one of you that was on it.”
The Midway Route would like to extend our deepest condolences to the Bannister Family, and we Thank them for allowing us to get to know and love such a courageous and loving Young Lady.
We love our Midway Route Family!