Michael Cuccione

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Michael James Cuccione (January 5, 1985 – January 13, 2001) was a Canadian actor/singer born in Burnaby, British Columbia. His parents were Dominic and Gloria Cuccione. He had an older sister, Sophia, and a younger brother, Steven.

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[edit] Illness and awareness

In July 1994, when Michael was 9, he was diagnosed with 2A Hodgkins disease, a form of cancer affecting the lymph nodes. It was treated with five months of chemotherapy, but returned the following year and his second bout with the disease metastasized to his lungs. He required massive doses of chemotherapy, a bone marrow transplant and twelve radiation treatments around his heart and lungs. He was cancer-free but the treatment left him with permanent lung and respiratory problems.

Michael became a well-known campaigner for cancer research and awareness. The singer/actor established the charitable Michael Cuccione Foundation for Cancer Research, and turned his love for music into his fundraising effort by recording a five song CD titled "Make a Difference". He also co-authored a book with his grandmother titled "There are Survivors" about his experiences. His effort eventually raised C$500,000 which was donated to the B.C. Children's Hospital. Michael made many in-person appearances on television, radio, at schools and hospitals and other fundraising events.

[edit] Career

In July 1997, a request Michael made to meet Baywatch star David Hasselhoff led to a role in an episode on the show as real life cancer victim Charlie Dodson Hays.

The producers of 2ge+her had already agreed to shoot the movie and ultimately the TV series in Vancouver when they discovered Michael and cast him in the part of Jason "QT" McKnight. The series was an immediate hit along with the soundtrack from the film and the soundtrack from the show. The boyband spoof became so popular with fans and artists that they went on tour and opened for Britney Spears. Both soundtracks hit the Billboard Top 100. The 2ge+her movie was released on February 21, 2000. The series soon followed in August 2000 airing on MTV at 10pm.

As soon as the second season started taping Michael soon began suffering breathing problems from complications from his earlier cancer treatments. He had to have an oxygen tank on set. His problems increased and soon had to miss several tapings of his show and public group appearances. In December 2000 Michael was unable to fight off the effects of a minor car accident, and he entered the hospital on December 4, 2000 with pneumonia. He spent the rest of his stay on a respirator and celebrated his last Christmas, New Year's and birthday in the hospital before succuming to respiratory failure on January 13, 2001 at the age of 16.

[edit] Funeral

Thousands packed the church in Vancouver, British Columbia on Wednesday evening of January 17, 2001, and again on Thursday morning to mourn. All four of Michael's 2ge+her band/cast members were in attendance for both services. Also in attendance was David Hasselhoff, who gave the eulogy and dedicated a song at the Wednesday services. Both services included a 75 member choir from Michael's high school, Notre Dame Regional Secondary. Among the display were pictures of Michael being blessed by the Pope, a giant poster of Michael with a teddy bear and a massive set of wreaths and flowers. During the Thursday services huge procession of limousines, cars, police escort and firetrucks accompanied Michael's casket through the streets of greater Vancouver.

[edit] Acting credits

  • Baywatch (1997) as Charlie Dodson Hays
  • 2ge+her the movie (February 2000) as Jason "QT" McKnight
  • 2ge+her the series (August 2000) as Jason "QT" McKnight
  • Making the Video (August 2000) as Jason 'Q.T.' McKnight

[edit] Recording credits

  • Make a Difference
  • 2ge+her movie soundtrack
  • 2ge+her:Again series soundtrack

[edit] External links

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