2gether's Michael Cuccione died of lung failure Saturday in B.C. Children's Hospital in Vancouver; he was sixteen years old. The singer had suffered from and defeated Hodgkin's Disease, but chemotherapy left his lungs weakened.

Cuccione played Jason "Q.T." McKnight on the faux-boy band television program 2gether. The group released their debut album 2gether: Music From the Original MTV TV Movie last February. Though Cuccione was cancer-free during the shoots for the show, his treatment had created respiratory problems that limited his appearances. Cuccione entered B.C. Children's Hospital six weeks ago for surgery to repair his diaphragm in an effort to better his ailing respiratory system.

Cuccione dedicated much of his energy to raising money to fight cancer. In 1998 his book, There Are Survivors: The Michael Cuccione Story, was published; Cuccione funneled the proceeds into the Michael Cuccione Foundation, which raised money for the B.C. Children's Hospital. His efforts pulled in $250,000 for the hospital, a number that doubled with the hospital's matching funds.

A prayer service for Cuccione is being held on Wednesday in Burnaby, B.C., though his funeral service will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, Cuccione's family asks that donations be made to the Michael Cuccione Foundation, P.O Box 31081, #8-2929 St. John's Street, Port Moody, B.C. V3H 4T4.

ANDREW DANSBY
(January 17, 2001)