Michael Cuccione
Encyclopedia
Michael James Cuccione (January 5, 1985 – January 13, 2001) was a Canadian
actor, singer, dancer, author, and cancer research activist. He was born in Burnaby, British Columbia
, and raised in neighbouring Coquitlam by his parents Domenic and Gloria Cuccione. He had an older sister, Sophia, and a younger brother, Steven.
, a form of cancer affecting the lymph nodes. It was treated with five months of chemotherapy
, but returned the following year. 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 then 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 Michael Cuccione Foundation for Cancer Research and turned his love for music into a fundraising effort by recording a five-song CD, Make a Difference. He also co-authored a book with his grandmother titled, There are Survivors: The Michael Cuccione Story about his experiences battling cancer; his effort eventually raised C$
500,000, which was donated to the British Columbia's Children's Hospital
. Michael made many in-person appearances on television, radio, at schools and hospitals, and other fundraising events.
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 later the series) in Vancouver
when they discovered Michael and cast him in the part of Jason "QT" McKnight. The series was an immediate hit, as was its soundtrack and the subsequent soundtrack from the show. The spoof boy band 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, and the series soon followed on August 15 of that same year, on MTV
's "10-Spot."
As soon as the second season started taping, Michael soon began suffering breathing problems from complications from his earlier cancer treatments and required an oxygen tank on-set. His problems increased, and soon he had to miss several tapings of the show and public group appearances. In December 2000, Michael was unable to fight off the effects of a minor car accident and 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 succumbing to respiratory failure
on January 13, 2001, at the age of 16.
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 School. Among the items displayed 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, a huge procession of limousines, cars, and firetrucks accompanied Michael's casket through the streets of greater Vancouver.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
actor, singer, dancer, author, and cancer research activist. He was born in Burnaby, British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
, and raised in neighbouring Coquitlam by his parents Domenic and Gloria Cuccione. He had an older sister, Sophia, and a younger brother, Steven.
Illness and awareness
On July 25, 1994, when Michael was 9, he was diagnosed with stage 2A Hodgkin's lymphomaHodgkin's lymphoma
Hodgkin's lymphoma, previously known as Hodgkin's disease, is a type of lymphoma, which is a cancer originating from white blood cells called lymphocytes...
, a form of cancer affecting the lymph nodes. It was treated with five months of chemotherapy
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is the treatment of cancer with an antineoplastic drug or with a combination of such drugs into a standardized treatment regimen....
, but returned the following year. His second bout with the disease metastasized
Metastasis
Metastasis, or metastatic disease , is the spread of a disease from one organ or part to another non-adjacent organ or part. It was previously thought that only malignant tumor cells and infections have the capacity to metastasize; however, this is being reconsidered due to new research...
to his lungs. He required massive doses of chemotherapy, a bone marrow transplant
Bone marrow transplant
Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is the transplantation of multipotent hematopoietic stem cell or blood, usually derived from bone marrow, peripheral blood stem cells, or umbilical cord blood...
, and twelve radiation treatments around his heart
Heart
The heart is a myogenic muscular organ found in all animals with a circulatory system , that is responsible for pumping blood throughout the blood vessels by repeated, rhythmic contractions...
and lungs. He was then 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 Michael Cuccione Foundation for Cancer Research and turned his love for music into a fundraising effort by recording a five-song CD, Make a Difference. He also co-authored a book with his grandmother titled, There are Survivors: The Michael Cuccione Story about his experiences battling cancer; his effort eventually raised C$
Canadian dollar
The Canadian dollar is the currency of Canada. As of 2007, the Canadian dollar is the 7th most traded currency in the world. It is abbreviated with the dollar sign $, or C$ to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies...
500,000, which was donated to the British Columbia's Children's Hospital
British Columbia's Children's Hospital
BC Children's Hospital is a medical facility located in Vancouver, British Columbia, and is an agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority. It specializes in health care for patients from birth to age 16. It is also a teaching and research facility for children's medicine...
. Michael made many in-person appearances on television, radio, at schools and hospitals, and other fundraising events.
Career and death
In July 1997, a request Michael made to meet BaywatchBaywatch
Baywatch is an American action drama series about the Los Angeles County Lifeguards who patrol the beaches of Los Angeles County, California, starring David Hasselhoff. The show ran in its original title and format from 1989 to 1999, sans the 1990-1991 season, of which it was not in production...
star David Hasselhoff
David Hasselhoff
David Michael Hasselhoff is an American actor, singer, producer and businessman. He is best known for his lead roles as Michael Knight in the popular 1980s US series Knight Rider and as L.A. County Lifeguard Mitch Buchannon in the series Baywatch...
led to a role in an episode on the show as real-life cancer victim Charlie Dodson Hays.
The producers of "2ge+her
2ge+her
2gether was an American fictional boy band whose composition, songs, and formation story is a satirical approach to the boy bands of the 1990s, such as New Kids on the Block, 'N Sync and Backstreet Boys...
" had already agreed to shoot the movie (and later the series) in Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
when they discovered Michael and cast him in the part of Jason "QT" McKnight. The series was an immediate hit, as was its soundtrack and the subsequent soundtrack from the show. The spoof boy band became so popular with fans and artists that they went on tour and opened for Britney Spears
Britney Spears
Britney Jean Spears is an American recording artist and entertainer. Born in McComb, Mississippi, and raised in Kentwood, Louisiana, Spears began performing as a child, landing acting roles in stage productions and television shows. She signed with Jive Records in 1997 and released her debut album...
. Both soundtracks hit the Billboard Top 100. The 2ge+her movie was released on February 21, 2000, and the series soon followed on August 15 of that same year, on MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
's "10-Spot."
As soon as the second season started taping, Michael soon began suffering breathing problems from complications from his earlier cancer treatments and required an oxygen tank on-set. His problems increased, and soon he had to miss several tapings of the show and public group appearances. In December 2000, Michael was unable to fight off the effects of a minor car accident and entered the hospital on December 4, 2000, with pneumonia. He spent the rest of his stay on a respirator and celebrated his last Christmas
Christmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
, New Year
New Year
The New Year is the day that marks the time of the beginning of a new calendar year, and is the day on which the year count of the specific calendar used is incremented. For many cultures, the event is celebrated in some manner....
's, and birthday in the hospital before succumbing to respiratory failure
Respiratory failure
The term respiratory failure, in medicine, is used to describe inadequate gas exchange by the respiratory system, with the result that arterial oxygen and/or carbon dioxide levels cannot be maintained within their normal ranges. A drop in blood oxygenation is known as hypoxemia; a rise in arterial...
on January 13, 2001, at the age of 16.
Funeral
Thousands packed the church in Vancouver, British Columbia on the Wednesday evening of January 17, 2001, and again on the next morning to mourn. All four of Michael's 2ge+her2ge+her
2gether was an American fictional boy band whose composition, songs, and formation story is a satirical approach to the boy bands of the 1990s, such as New Kids on the Block, 'N Sync and Backstreet Boys...
band/cast members were in attendance for both services. Also in attendance was David Hasselhoff
David Hasselhoff
David Michael Hasselhoff is an American actor, singer, producer and businessman. He is best known for his lead roles as Michael Knight in the popular 1980s US series Knight Rider and as L.A. County Lifeguard Mitch Buchannon in the series Baywatch...
, who gave the eulogy
Eulogy
A eulogy is a speech or writing in praise of a person or thing, especially one recently deceased or retired. Eulogies may be given as part of funeral services. However, some denominations either discourage or do not permit eulogies at services to maintain respect for traditions...
and dedicated a song at the Wednesday services. Both services included a 75-member choir from Michael's high school, Notre Dame Regional Secondary School. Among the items displayed were pictures of Michael being blessed by the Pope
Pope
The Pope is the Bishop of Rome, a position that makes him the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church . In the Catholic Church, the Pope is regarded as the successor of Saint Peter, the Apostle...
, a giant poster of Michael with a teddy bear
Teddy bear
The teddy bear is a stuffed toy bear. They are usually stuffed with soft, white cotton and have smooth and soft fur. It is an enduring form of a stuffed animal in many countries, often serving the purpose of entertaining children. In recent times, some teddy bears have become collector's items...
, and a massive set of wreaths and flowers. During the Thursday services, a huge procession of limousines, cars, and firetrucks accompanied Michael's casket through the streets of greater Vancouver.
Acting credits
- BaywatchBaywatchBaywatch is an American action drama series about the Los Angeles County Lifeguards who patrol the beaches of Los Angeles County, California, starring David Hasselhoff. The show ran in its original title and format from 1989 to 1999, sans the 1990-1991 season, of which it was not in production...
(1997) as Charlie Dodson Hays - 2ge+her2ge+her2gether was an American fictional boy band whose composition, songs, and formation story is a satirical approach to the boy bands of the 1990s, such as New Kids on the Block, 'N Sync and Backstreet Boys...
the movie (February 2000) as Jason "QT" McKnight - 2ge+her2ge+her2gether was an American fictional boy band whose composition, songs, and formation story is a satirical approach to the boy bands of the 1990s, such as New Kids on the Block, 'N Sync and Backstreet Boys...
the series (August 2000) as Jason "QT" McKnight - Making the VideoMaking the VideoMaking the Video is an MTV show, consisting of half-hour episodes, which chronicles the process of filming various music videos. Usually the director outlines the concept of the video and the show often includes light-hearted and humorous moments. It always concludes with a premiere of the...
(August 2000) as Jason "QT" McKnight
Recording credits
- Make a Difference
- 2ge+her2ge+her2gether was an American fictional boy band whose composition, songs, and formation story is a satirical approach to the boy bands of the 1990s, such as New Kids on the Block, 'N Sync and Backstreet Boys...
movie soundtrack - 2ge+her: Again series soundtrack