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thanks to Chad for typing this up for me.

As Jason "QT"McKnight, the youngest member of the mock boy band on MTV's 2gether, 16-year-old Michael Cuccione inspired the passions of the show's loyal female fans. But the blue-eyed pop singer saved his most inspirational work for real life, pouring his energy into raising money for cancer research in hopes of curing the illness-Hodgkin's disease-that he overcame twice in his young life. Tragically, Cuccione died January 13 of respiratory failure, leaving his family to continue his charitable work.

Cuccione was first diagnosed with Hodgkin's at age 9 in 1994. Following a short remission, the cancer returned in 1995, and Cuccione underwent intensive radiation treatment and a painful stem-cell infusion that weakened his lungs. Last year, Cuccione was forced to keep a portable oxygen machine available during tapings of 2gether's second season. On December 4, he developed pneumonia and was admitted to a Vancouver hospital, where he remained until his death.

Ever optimistic, Cuccione spoke with TV Guide last year about his health problems. "There are more positives than negatives,"he said,"because I've been inspired to help other people." He is survived by his mother, Gloria; his father, Domenic: sister Sophia, 17; and brother Steven, 11. Donations can be sent to:

The Michael Cuccione Foundation
P.O. Box 31081
#8-2929 St. John's Street
Port Moody,B.C., Canada
V3H4T4