René has spent her whole life taking care of everyone else. Now it’s our turn to take care of her.

Hi, we are Holly (owner/director) and Dana (office manager) at Bold Moves Dance Company in Rockingham, NC, but more importantly, we are friends and “dance family” to an incredible woman named René.

If you’ve ever stepped foot in our studio, watched a dance competition, or seen a costume that somehow fit perfectly even at the last minute, you’ve been touched by René’s heart and her hands. She is a former dance teacher/ studio owner, a beloved mentor, and our go-to seamstress—the one who can calm a nervous dancer, fix a costume in seconds, and somehow make every child feel like they’re her favorite.

In October 2025, René was diagnosed with Stage 2B & N1, Grade 3 breast cancer. Since then, things have moved quickly. She underwent a successful lumpectomy just two weeks ago. Her chemotherapy port was placed today, and she will begin eight weeks of chemotherapy on December 2nd, followed by an additional twelve weeks of chemotherapy and radiation. This is going to be a long, exhausting road physically, emotionally, and financially.

René is married to her husband Joe, and together they have two daughters, DeeAnna and Jené, who absolutely adore their mom. This year was supposed to be exciting and full of new beginnings. In July 2025, René and Joe started a food truck business called “Just Dawgs,” a dream they had talked about for a long time. René also owns a floral boutique, pouring her creativity into beautiful arrangements for weddings, events, and special occasions.

But cancer doesn’t care about timing. With chemotherapy and radiation ahead, René will be unable to fully work in her floral shop or with the food truck. On top of that, Joe will need to take time away from work to get her to treatments, care for her at home, and help manage everyday life while she fights.

We are raising funds to help support this family through loss of income from both the floral boutique and Just Dawgs, Joe’s time away from work so he can be by Rene’s side during treatment, ongoing medical expenses and treatment-related costs, and their regular day-to-day living expenses like bills, gas to and from treatment, and food. More than anything, we want to give this family some breathing room so they can focus on healing, not just surviving financially.

René has shown up for hundreds of dancers and families over the years—late nights hemming costumes, early mornings at competitions, last-minute fixes, words of encouragement, and endless love. She has been the quiet backbone of so many special moments in our studio community and many other dance communities throughout the competition circuit. Now, we’re asking our community to show up for her.

Any amount you’re able to give will truly help, and if you’re not able to donate, sharing this page with others or sending a message of encouragement means the world. If you’re a praying person, we ask that you keep René, Joe, DeeAnna, and Jené in your prayers. If not, your love, support, and positive thoughts are just as appreciated.

René has given so much of herself to lift others up—on the stage, in the studio, in her shop, and from the food truck window. Let’s surround her with the same love, support, and strength she’s poured into all of us.

Thank you for helping René fight this battle with one less burden on her shoulders.