02/04/2026
I have pledged to participate in Wake 'N Shake. This event is a 12-hour dance marathon raising money for the Brian Piccolo Cancer Research Fund and is my university’s largest philanthropy event on campus.
Wake ‘N Shake, since its inception in 2005, has become a symbol of resilience and shared commitment. We’ve raised over $3 million, establishing it as the largest, completely student-run event on our campus. This funding has been instrumental in propelling groundbreaking initiatives, including the development of a new therapeutic drug to increase survival of pancreatic cancer patients and the purchase of nanoparticle generation and detection equipment. The fund has also supported the Hispanic Patient Navigator position, improving patient access to care and increased clinical trial participation and racial health equity. We’ve been able to make direct impacts right here in Winston-Salem as these funds save patient lives and help support their families at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Wake ‘N Shake is a testament to the power of community and our collective determination to create a world free from the impact of cancer. It has easily become one of the most meaningful experiences I have had during my time at Wake Forest. There is no other event where people from all corners of campus, including different fraternities, sororities, and student organizations, come together to be in one room for the same purpose. We spend 12 hours dancing and standing the entire time, and even if we are tempted to sit for a moment, we are reminded that cancer patients don’t get to “take a break.” Their battle is everyday, so we stay standing, ending the night in an emotional reflection of those we have lost and who we are dancing for.
As we approach the 21st annual Wake ‘N Shake on Saturday, March 28th, 2026, I invite you to join me in making a difference. Should you feel moved to contribute, you can do so through my personal page: https://wakenshake.wfu.edu/participants/gavin-hewston. Every donation, no matter the size, brings us one step closer to a future where the impact of cancer is only a distant memory. Thank you so much for supporting this cause that means so much to me. Together, let’s continue dancing, standing, and making a meaningful impact in the fight against cancer.
To learn more about Wake ‘N Shake and the Brian Piccolo Cancer Research Fund, check out our Instagram .
For more information about the event, head to the official WNS website at wakenshake.wfu.edu.
Sincerely,
Gavin Hewston
Bio: I’m a freshman in the local fundraising committee and an intended political science and international affairs major.
