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At a very young age, Michael James Cuccione pledged to 'Make A Difference' against the fight with childhood cancer. Although Michael, who won his battle with this disease, passed away at the tender age of 16 due to respiratory complications; he continues to 'MAKE A DIFFERENCE' in all our lives and impact us in so many ways. Michael James Cuccione was born on January 5th 1985 in Burnaby, British Columbia Canada and was raised in Coquitlam, a community near Vancouver on Canada's west coast. Michael was blessed with many talents: he was an actor, a dancer, a singer, a songwriter, a public speaker and most important of all... he was a dedicated crusader for the fight against cancer. Michael would describe his life as almost perfect with a loving family: father Dominic, mother Gloria, older sister Sophia and younger brother Steven. In an instant however, Michael's life changed forever. At the tender age of nine on Steven's six birthday, Michael was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma. Michael, who received six months of chemotherapy responded very well to the treatment; he was pronounced cancer free. However approximately 1 year later he relapsed, the cancer had returned. Michael would receive another round of chemotherapy as well as bone marrow transplant. Michael wrote his own songs and produced a record entitled "Make a Difference"; the revenues from the CD sales were used and still continuing to do so to fund local cancer researchers. Michael met with the foundation representatives at the BC Children's hospital and was asked where he would like the funds administered? He replied " A want to fund young researchers because if we don't they will not be here in the future". With this, Michael Cuccione Foundation Fellowship was formed, and endowment for $500, 000. From Michael's CD sales, he raised a total of $130, 000 and with this, Michael formed the official Michael Cuccione Foundation. In October of 2000, Michael attained one of his many dreams to fund a full time cancer for a lifetime through the endowment with BC Children's hospital. Michael, who was cancer free for six years and was given 'a clean bill of health' however, passed away on January 13th 2001. Though his life was short, Michael's legacy and impact he has left on us will live on in our hearts.