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Michael's Timeline

1985
January 5 - Michael James Cuccione was born in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada.

1993
June 12 - At age eight, Michael's talents were already shinning through. One of Michael's earliest public performances was for his Auntie Carmela's wedding there was 500 people in attendance.

1994
July 24 - Michael faints while swimming in a lake. He was pulled to shore and revived by his friend. A series of medical appointments follow this event.

July 25 - Michael, at age nine, was diagnosed with cancer (Hodgkin's disease) at BC Children's Hospital. It was Michael's brother Steve's seventh birthday.

August 6 - Michael begins six months of chemotherapy treatments. Throughout the treatments Michael had his good days and his bad but always remained positive. He was eager to participate in as many social activities as possible he continued to play soccer and performed in jazz dance competitions (his dance team placed 1st in a competition during Michael's cancer treatments.)

November 15 - In his fourth month of chemotherapy Michael contracted Meningitis, necessitating a 10 day stay in isolation. During his stay he wrote his first song called, When You Are Away. He wrote this song for his Father Domenic's surprise 40th birthday. The words of the song also expressed Michael's feelings for the children that passed away around him and how he missed them after they were gone. The words also express how he missed his father when he was working and could not be with him. Michael would later be Master of Ceremonies at his father's 40th birthday party and sang his song.

December 10 - Michael's test results showed that he was cancer free! The doctor advised that he needed to complete his sixth month of chemotherapy treatments to reduce the chances of the cancer returning. Once Michael's treatments were completed he started working on his second song, Make a Difference. He was determined that he was going to make a difference by helping put an end to the pain and suffering of cancer. He had set a goal to put out a CD and donate the net proceeds to childhood cancer research.

1995
April to May - Michael spread his messages: He performed at an Italian beauty pageant and attendees of the pageant donated $1,100 to further Michael's dream of funding cancer research; Michael talked about his goals to raise funds and he performed on two telethons and the proceeds were donated to BC Children's Hospital, he presented his cheque of $1100 at the main telethon event.

June 27 - After a series of tests and three biopsy surgeries it was confirmed that Michael's cancer had returned. Michael was advised that he would need heavy chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant with his own stem cells to treat the disease and increase his chances of survival.

June 29 - Still sore from the biopsies, Michael spoke to over 700 students for his sister Sophia's grade seven graduations at their school and was interviewed by the local press. Michael was pursuing his goal of producing a CD. Three songs had been recorded at this point.

July 3 - Chemotherapy treatments began again. It was the first step in the process of preparing him for the bone marrow transplant.

July 25 - One last celebration before the fight of Michael's life it was for his Brother Steve's 8th birthday.

July 31 - Michael received his bone marrow transplant. He was among the first of patients at BC Children's Hospital to undergo a bone marrow transplant that utilizes the patient's own stem cells. The months following the transplant were trying times for Michael as he underwent further procedures but he always remained positive and eat all the way through his transplant to stay strong.

September 22 - Michael's test results showed that he had beaten the disease for a 2nd time…he was once again cancer free!!

November 14 - Michael had to stay home for 100 days because he had no immune system and was finally able to return to school.

1996
March 2 - Michael was presented the BCTV/Dairy Queen Saturday's Child award for the month of February. This is an award given to a child, under 18, who is deemed to be a positive role model for other children and who wants to make a meaningful contribution to society. Some of the qualities the award committee looks for include enthusiasm, ingenuity, kindness, commitment, resourcefulness, and a positive outlook. Michael had it all and was presented $1,000 which he donated to his fund to raise money for cancer.

March 8 - At an Enrich Canada meeting, Michael gave a speech telling how Enrich herbs had helped him to start gaining weight (he had gone from 59 to 84 pounds) and was regaining his energy after his bone marrow transplant. The Canadian & United Kingdom President Barry Borthistle of Enrich International Canada was so impressed with Michael's presentation that he presented Michael with tickets for an upcoming Caribbean cruise that he wanted Michael to spread his message of hope, faith & love and speak to people all over the world... Michael's Father and Mother were invited to join them and accompany Michael.

April 18 - Michael was invited to BC Children's Hospital Kick off Party which is a celebration to thank all of the major sponsors of the Children's Miracle Network Telethon. Michael gave a speech describing his cancer treatments and his CD plans. Michael sang Make a Difference.

May 15 - Michael attended a golf tournament in aid of BC Children's Hospital, sponsored by one of their heart surgeons. Michael gave a speech praising the doctors and nurses at BC Children's Hospital and telling everyone about his continued work on his CD. Dr. Art Hister introduced Michael as “a natural talent”. He sang ‘Make a Difference' and ‘Lock the Door'.

June 1 - Michael performed for the BC Children's Hospital Telethon broadcasted all over British Columbia. He sang a song and presented the $1,000 he had received as a recipient of the BCTV/Dairy Queen Saturday's Child award.

July 13-20 - Michael attended Camp Good Times; a camp for young cancer patients, children in remission, and their siblings.

August 13 - Michael left on a ten day trip to New York to visit Nester a special friend of the family that adored Michael. While there, they toured New York Children's Hospital, and Michael was encouraging to the young patients.

August 25 - Michael was one of 12 finalists in the Pacific National Exhibition (PNE) Talent Search Competition. It was Michael's first performance since his bone marrow transplant.

September 3 - Michael appeared on 1040 AM radio telling about the benefits of herbs for his health. He answered questions from callers, giving them the information they were seeking.

October 5 - Michael visited the set of Baywatch, a wish fulfilled by The Make A Wish Foundation. David Hasselhoff listened to Michael's demo tape of his songs and was so impressed he told Michael that he was going to audition him in an upcoming episode. Michael also met with Jay Leno from the Tonight Show.

October 23 - Michael sang at a Make A Wish Foundation benefit. He expressed his gratitude for being granted his wish to visit all the actors on the Baywatch set. He spoke of his hopes and dreams of helping to find a cure for cancer and that he was going to use his CD sales as a means for gaining support for this important cause.

November 22 - The CD, Make a Difference, was produced within 12 months of Michael completing his radiation treatments. The CD Release Party was held and the celebration establishment the Michael Cuccione Foundation. This would later become known as the 1st Annual Dinner & Dance Fundraiser in Vancouver which raised over $15,000.

1997
January 4 - Michael and his parents boarded a Caribbean cruise provided for them by Enrich International. Michael speaks at a meeting and credits herbs for helping him to recover from his bone marrow transplant. He received a standing ovation and raised over $1200 for the Foundation from CD sales. He was thrilled to meet the famous author Mark Victor Hansen from the Chicken Soup for the Soul series who strongly praised Michael.

March 27 - Michael decided to spread his message of the need to unite in the fight against cancer, across Canada. He was invited to the Parliament Building in Victoria to meet with Premier Glen Clark of British Columbia.

April - Michael's CD started being sold in the United States through a local fireman, who had been following Michael's story. He suggested that Michael contact The People's Network. They ordered 500 CD's and 300 tapes.

April 9 - Michael started his tour across Canada to spread his messages and promote his CD. Michael appeared on the Dini Petty Show telling his story; he was interviewed on a radio program; met the Candlelighters (a support group for newly diagnosed cancer patients and their families) representative, who invited him to be their spokesperson for their Walk-a-thon; and was interviewed on 100 Huntley Street.

April 10 - Michael went to Ottawa to meet Prime Minister, Jean Chrétien. He attended a session of the legislature where tributes to Michael were paid to him by Anna Terrana and Sharon Hayes M.P. for Port Moody, of Coquitlam. He later received this tribute on a plaque. Michael had a fifteen minute interview with Prime Minister Jean Chrétien. When Michael asked for government support for his cause, the Prime Minister said he was planning to look into supporting cancer research after the election. At the end of June 1997, Prime Minister Jean Chrétien, announced that his government was granting $60,000,000 to 200 Canadian researchers across Canada who were working on developing a cancer vaccine.

April 11 - Michael was interviewed on Canada AM. He told his story and sang "Never Give Up". He was interviewed by Global News. He did a profile on 'Kid's Beat', which would be shown across Canada. Michael was featured in local and Italian papers throughout the week.

April 19 - Michael spoke and sang at the 45th anniversary dinner for researchers and pediatric doctors of BC Children's Hospital at the Renaissance Hotel, Vancouver, British Columbia. Michael sang and his video was shown.

April 20 - Michael autographed his CD's at a hair Cut-A-Thon initiated by his hairdresser.

June 1 - Michael appeared on The BC Children's Telethon. He sat between Sherry Ulrich and Rick Hansen. Michael pledged 50 CDs at $50.00 a pledge. He was sold out in a very short time and received the most calls.

June 3 - Michael met with David Hasselhoff at Planet Hollywood in Vancouver BC who offered Michael to audition for the lead role about a boy named Charlie that died of cancer, a very inspirational Baywatch episode called ‘Charlie'.

June 5 - Michael's video was shown and Michael spoke to over 7000 people associated with The People's Network about his hopes and dreams of helping to find a cure for cancer. He received 5 standing ovations. He sold over 600 CDs and inspired many people experiencing similar problems with serious illnesses. He caught a plane in time to appear at a cancer fundraiser for Relay For A Friend. He spoke and sang at the closing candle lit ceremony.

June 16 - Michael spent fifteen hours, shooting a commercial, Youth Against Violence, with Trevor Linden. He spent the last hour, running to escape some bullies, who were supposedly chasing him. This wasn't too easy for Michael because he had a pulmonary count of only 59.

June 17 - Michael auditioned and did a screen test for the part of Charlie on Baywatch. It was confirmed that he was going to get the part. He had to be cleared by the U. S. government. Their approval included depending on his school grades being A's and B's in all subjects, on his last report card. Filming commenced July 9 - 23, 1997. His whole family was invited to be with him.

August 22 - In Orlando, Florida Michael spoke at an Enrich International Convention. A video was shown revealing how frail Michael was after his bone marrow transplant. He had gone from 84 to 59 pounds and was very weak. In his speech, He gave Enrich herbs credit for his weight gain and abundant energy, which was evident for all those in the audience to see. He was than 100 pounds. He sang Make A Difference. He sold 100 CD's and took orders for more.

September 18 - Michael visited the Science Centre in Calgary. He told his story and sang a song. He was presented with a $5,000.00 cheque payable to the Michael Cuccione Foundation, by The Bank of Montreal Charity Society, which donates funds to worthy causes.

September 21 - Michael spoke at a church and completed an interview at CHIN, an Italian TV Program in Toronto, Ontario.

September 22 - Michael appeared on Doctors on Call with his mother. This was shown on television stations across Canada.

September 23 - Michael spoke and sang at Caritas, a home in Toronto, Ontario that helps individuals who have drug addictions and mental health problems. Michael was also interviewed by Telelatino, an Italian TV program.

September 27 - Michael spoke at a Netcorp Travel Convention. He was given a $1,000 donation and the company chose the Michael Cuccione Foundation to be the first non-profit foundation to help his important cause.

October 9 - Michael went to BC Children's Hospital for his regular three-month tests. Thankfully, he received a clean bill of health, except for his pulmonary counts which was still 59. Everyone hoped that the radiation treatments and procedures did not damage his lungs permanently.

October 17 - The premier of the Baywatch episode Charlie takes place and airs in November. They had a tag at the end for Michael's foundation.

November 21 - The 2nd Annual Fundraising Dinner was held in Vancouver which raised $30,000. Michael presented a cheque for $50,000 to BC Children's Hospital. The endowment fund will be used to hire a full-time cancer researcher for a life time at BC Children's Hospital. Michael sang two new songs, Whether Life Is Sun or Rain and Learning From The Best.

December - By the end of 1997 over $175,000 was raised by the Michael Cuccione Foundation.

1998
Michael and his family celebrated his 13th birthday.

March 25 - Michael achieved an Honor Roll Standing for Academic Achievement at Maple Creek Middle School.

April - Michael is signed on with a talent agency in Los Angeles, USA.

April 5 - Michael and his grandmother Jane MacSporran launch their co-authored book There Are Survivors: The Michael Cuccione Story

April 17 - Over $18,000 is raised at the 1st Annual Fundraiser in Toronto, Ontario

May 31 - Michael was confirmed with 2700 other youth in a Catholic ceremony at BC Place, Vancouver, British Columbia.

July 19 - Gloria and Michael went to Los Angeles to explore further acting and fundraising opportunities. Michael got work from Disney on the set of Smart Guy.

July 25 - Michael was cancer-free for three years and was feeling great except for being short of breathe.

September 16 - Michael met and was blessed by His Holiness Pope John Paul II following Mass at St. Peter's Square in Rome, Italy. His honor of a life time!

October 16 - The 3rd Annual Fundraiser Dinner in Vancouver, British Columbia raises $35,000. Michael presented a cheque for $50,000 to BC Children's Hospital and $25,000 to Alberta Children's Hospital for research programs.

1999
February 20 - 1st Annual Fundraising Dinner was held in Edmonton, Alberta which raised $7,500.

April 30 - The 2nd Annual Fundraising Dinner in Toronto, Ontario was held. A cheque for $25,000 was presented to the Hospital for Sick Children (Toronto) for a Leukemia/Lymphoma Research Program.

June - Griffiths, Gibson & Ramsay Productions offered their recording studio and their support for Michael's latest single. Toolshed Productions, Anthony Anderson & Steve Smith were providing programming and musical direction.

September 26 - Michael was invited to speak at a fundraiser held by the Guild of Hairdressing Association in Toronto, Ontario. Partial proceeds were given to the Michael Cuccione Foundation.

October 14th - Annual Fundraiser Dinner was held in Vancouver, British Columbia which raised $65,000. Michael presented BC Children's Hospital a cheque for $50,000 to go towards his endowment fund to hire a full time cancer researcher at BC Children's Hospital.
October 30 Michael started working on the first MTV made-for-TV movie called 2GETHER.

2000
February 21 - The MTV movie 2GETHER as well as the soundtrack was released.

March 22 - The 2nd Annual Fundraiser Dinner was held in Edmonton, Alberta which raised over $22,000 for the Stollery Children's Hospital for a childhood cancer program.

April - Michael signed his first TV series with MTV for the 2GETHER series.

April 28 - The 3rd Annual Fundraiser Dinner was held in Toronto, Ontario which raised over $19,000.00 for the Lymphoma Leukemia Program at the Toronto for Sick Children's Hospital.

May 15 - Michael and the 2GETHER group headed to the USA to record their second album for the TV series.

June 26 - Filming of the 2GETHER series began in Vancouver BC.

August 15 - The 2GETHER series aired across the USA on MTV

August 29 - Michael and the other band members released their second CD 2GETHER AGAIN in New York City, USA.

September 23 - Fifth Annual Fundraiser Dinner was held in Vancouver, BC which raised $60,000.00. A cheque was presented to the BC Children's Hospital in the amount of $100,000.00. This represented the first goal achieved by the Michael Cuccione Foundation for a full time childhood cancer researcher for a life time.

November 6 - The filming of the second season of the 2GETHER series started. Michael shot the first three episodes only due to respiratory complications.

December 4 - Michael got ammonia and was hospitalized and the next day his CO2 went through the roof and he was put on a ventilator.

December 7 - Michael had a placation to his diaphragm from a problem that was not told until it was very serious.

December 12 - Michael was getting better but there was no plan to take him off the ventilator.

December 18 - Michael had contacted a multi resistant bacteria in his tube and this extremely series.

December 25 - This was a sad day because Michael had not eaten for almost 6 weeks and he was being fed through a tube. Christmas and dinner was always so special with his amazing Italian family. He never complained and always worried about everyone else. The family was taking all this very hard.

2001
Michael and his family and friends celebrate his 16th birthday in the hospital.

January 13 - 9:31pm The saddest day of our lives, Michael took his last breath on earth and lives on with the Lord in the Heavens above.

Michael's legacy will continue and everyone knows how important it was to Michael to help find a cure for cancer. We must keep Michael's dream alive!