|
 Michael Cuccione
1985 - 2001
 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
Michael
Cuccione Pediatric Oncology Laboratory at the B.C.
Children's Hospital. Michael made many in-person appearances on television,
radio, at schools and hospitals and other fundraising events.
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.
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.
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
Recording credits
Visit Michael Cuccione Foundation
:: Childhood Cancer Research website for
full information about his ongoing legacy.
|
