Wake ‘N Shake

Before we get to the meat of today’s blog, want to share an upcoming opportunity tomorrow night: Adulting 101: Insurance and Benefits (February 23rd at 6:30 pm in Benson 344): “Do words like co-pay, deductible, and coinsurance have your eye twitching? Come gain critical understanding about insurance terms and how to properly review a benefits package when offered to you by a future employer. This is one of those topics where your peers will be saying “I wish they taught me that in college!” Don’t be that person. Learn the basics in a fun and engaging environment. Facilitated by John Champlin (’06, MBA ’15), Director, Engagement Programs, Office of Alumni Engagement. Contact poseol18@wfu.edu with questions.”

One of the favorite spring traditions on campus is Wake ‘N Shake, our student dance marathon that benefits cancer research. This is a wonderful way for students to get involved in a cause bigger than themselves, meet other students, and have fun! The Student Directors of Wake ‘N Shake, Jenny Foster (’22), Lexi Colan (‘22), and Sarah Kate Massey (‘22), have sent some information that they wanted the Daily Deacdom to have. Here goes:

“Cancer has touched many of our lives in painful and tragic ways. Here at Wake Forest, we are seeking a cure for cancer through a somewhat alternative method. Wake ‘N Shake – Wake Forest’s largest student philanthropy event of the entire year – is a twelve-hour dance marathon where Deacs from all years dance and fundraise together!

This year, on March 19th, we will be celebrating the 17th anniversary of Wake ‘N Shake with the theme of Turning the Tide. From noon to midnight, students will come together as a community to dance with their peers and listen to cancer survivors share their inspiring stories. Entirely student-led from its inception in 2006, Wake ‘N Shake has cumulatively raised almost $3 million for the Brian Piccolo Cancer Research Fund. This fund directly supports the world-class research at the Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center.

In this video, you can see the impact that this work is having at the Cancer Center. Because of the generosity of our community and the hard work of our students, our efforts have been able to fund the development of a new cancer drug that is in its last stages of clinical trials! We hope to continue that work by building on the success of previous years.

We have a great leadership team of more than 40 students and just over 200 committee members assisting in the planning and execution of this signature event – not to mention the 1,400 or so students that come for an awesome day of dancing and celebrating life in the spirit of Pro Humanitate. Students have the opportunity to join their friends or student organization and make a team today, or simply register to dance and fundraise independently. Here is the link for students to register.

Additionally, for the first time in Wake ‘N Shake history, parents and families can be inside the virtual Wake ‘N Shake room! Save your spot at live.Imaginate.events/e/wns-2022/register. For more information about the event, schedule, or livestream, head to the official Wake ‘N Shake website at wakenshake.wfu.edu for more information about the livestream and event schedule.

If your Deac has any questions about how to get involved, they can email us at wns@wfu.edu. We hope that parents and families – as well as your students! –  will join the Wake ’N Shake Team on March 19th in the fight against cancer. You can watch a fun Wake ’N Shake video here.”

— by Betsy Chapman, Ph.D. (’92, MA ’94) with a big assist from Jenny Foster (’22), Lexi Colan (‘22), and Sarah Kate Massey (‘22)