Renee Cooper Francey was diagnosed with stage 3 stomach cancer in October 2019. She went through extensive chemotherapy treatments in the fall and winter of 2019. In January 2020, the doctors removed 75 percent of her stomach, the stomach lining, and 38 lymph nodes, of which, four still had living cancer cells. That is why she is, now, on her second round of chemo.
With a heart of gold and a big heart for God, Renee has been an inspiration to others. She’s a fighter, and she is overcoming this. She is leaping over cancer. As her husband, Chuck Francey, said, “God’s got this.”
At the Top Art Gallery, along with Team Renee, is sponsoring, “Leaping Over Cancer,” an art fundraiser for Renee, who is an outstanding photographer. The event is on Saturday, February 29, from 1-4 p.m. at Uptown Forum on the second floor. Friendlee is our MC. There will be a silent and live auction. Musicians are Lou Ann Price (Petty), gospel artist Steven Harden and Renee’s daughter, Britnie Rosenbalm. Refreshments will be served.
There will be numerous items in the silent auction, which is from 1:00 – 2:15 p.m. Items include baked goodies, crafts, crosses, gift baskets, paintings, photography, photography puzzles and a round of golf at Webb Hill Country Club. The live auction begins at 2:30 p.m.
Renee’s beautiful canvas photography will be up for the sale during the live auction, which begins at 2:30 p.m. Other local artists work will be on auction, including President of the Greenville Art League, Allen Weekley; Tracy Chesney, owner of At the Top Art Gallery; unique handmade crosses by Jerry Geisler, owner of Cross Haven; a beautiful birdhouse made by Greenville Police Sgt. C.J. Crawford; an 11×14 consignment portrait by painter Kim Cartier, a portrait artist; and photography by Renee’s grandson, 13-year-old Gavin Rosenbalm. All proceeds will go to Renee to help with her medical and financial needs.
After Renee found out she had cancer, she and Chuck took Gavin to Galveston, so she could spend some one-on-one time with him. While he was there, Gavin took some amazing pictures of sunrises, his grandparents sitting on a bench and the Bolivar Lighthouse. After I saw his pictures, I wanted to show off his photography at my gallery. Gavin was so excited, and he decided that all of his sales would go to his grandmother. To date, Gavin has sold eight of his photographs. Not bad for this eighth-grader at PTAA, School of Engineering & Technology in Greenville.
Renee and Gavin have a special relationship. “I found out I was going to be a grandma in August of 2005,” she said. “Deep down, I felt like it was a boy. I was instantly in love, even before I saw him. I didn’t grow up around my grandmother, because we moved around so much. I just knew I wanted to be the best grandma I could possibly be and to be with him as much as I could.
“My daughter and son-in-law gave me as much time with him as I wanted (within reason). We, also, came up with ‘Grandma Wednesday’. He’s been staying with me every Wednesday since he was two years old. And when his sister was born, she joined in with Grandma Wednesday.
“Grandma Wednesday has been interrupted by cancer and cancer treatments. I’m going to beat this disease so I can have my adventures with my grandkids again. Gavin has changed my life in so many ways, mostly patience. We’ve been on so many adventures together, and there are more to come.”
We are still seeking volunteers and donations for the silent auction. Donations can be dropped off at “At the Top Art Gallery” at the Uptown Forum, 2610 Lee Street from 10 a.m. to 2 pm, from Tuesday, Feb. 25 to Friday, Feb. 28. Baked goods can be dropped off to At the Top by 10 AM on Saturday, Feb. 29. Please contact Tracy Chesney at 903-461-8477, email at [email protected]. Renee Francey’s photography can be seen on her Facebook page, “FranceyFotos Art Gallery,” and she can be contacted at [email protected].
