About Us

Brian Piccolo, a 1965 graduate of Wake Forest, was a football star for both the WFU Demon Deacons and the Chicago Bears. In 1969, while playing for the Bears, he was diagnosed with embryonal cell carcinoma and lost his battle with cancer in 1970. Ten years later, students began the Brian Piccolo Cancer Research Fund, which benefits patients and their loved ones at the Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center’s Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Hit the Bricks is a campus-wide philanthropic event that aims to raise awareness and funds for the Brian Piccolo Cancer Research Fund. Teams of students, faculty, staff, and alumni compete to raise the most money and run the most laps around the quad. Throughout the day, team members take turns running/walking around the quad to show their support for cancer research. We hold additional events including spikeball, cornhole, and “specialty laps”, as well as music, food, and guest speakers. The day concludes with a Remembrance Lap to honor those who have lost their lives to cancer, along with an award ceremony. 

In 2003, students held the first annual Hit the Bricks relay race, raising $3,000. In its 20+ year history, participants have run over 342,195 laps and have surpassed over $1,000,000 in fundraising for the Brian Piccolo Cancer Research Fund. The Wake Forest community has raised over $4 million for the fund since 1980.