Each spring, Wake Forest students stay awake and on their feet for 12-straight hours for the Wake ‘N Shake Dance Marathon benefitting the Brian Piccolo Cancer Research Fund and the Comprehensive Cancer Center at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist.
What started in 2006 with 300 dancers raising $48,000 for the Brian Piccolo Cancer Research Fund has turned into the largest student-run philanthropy at Wake Forest. In 2022, students surpassed $3 million in lifetime fundraising through Wake ‘N Shake.
“The fact that events events like Wake ‘N Shake are still going on and going so strong is just incredible to me and my family, and it’s really a testament to Wake, which continues to live by its Pro Humanitate motto.”
– Traci Piccolo Dolby (’89)
Wake ‘N Shake Archive
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Wake ‘N Shake 2022
Dancers Amount Raised Number of Donations Average Donation Theme 1,360 $310,838.00 4,306 $72.19 Turning the Tide for Cancer Research -
Wake ‘N Shake 2021
Dancers Amount Raised Number of Donations Average Donation Theme 739 $191,193.00 Togetherness -
Wake ‘N Shake 2020
In 2020, at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Wake ‘N Shake student leaders coordinated a virtual event with dancers participating throughout the country instead of gathering on campus. Read more.
Dancers Amount Raised Number of Donations Average Donation Theme 1,034 $383,551.00 Dare to Discover the Cure -
Wake ‘N Shake 2019
Dancers Amount Raised Number of Donations Average Donation Theme 1,440 $431,000.00 The Greatest Cause on Earth 
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Wake ‘N Shake 2018
Dancers Amount Raised Theme 1,400 $391,498.00 Dancing Through the Decades 
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Wake ‘N Shake 2017
Dancers Amount Raised Theme 1,400 $362,647.00 X Out Cancer -
Wake ‘N Shake 2016
Dancers Amount Raised Theme 1,300 $306,257.00 Pixar 
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Wake ‘N Shake 2015
Dancers Amount Raised Theme 1,330 $200,040 X Out Cancer 
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Wake ‘N Shake 2014
Dancers Amount Raised Theme 1,350 $182,056.00 Superheroes -
Wake ‘N Shake 2013
Dancers Amount Raised Theme 1,302 $146,420.00 Tackling Cancer 
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Wake ‘N Shake 2012
Dancers Amount Raised Theme 1,020 $105,00.00 Oh, The Places We’ll Go 