CHARLOTTE — A local teen who lost his brother to cancer is working to keep his memory alive by supporting the hospital he says was with his family through every moment.
Mason Bucciero said he has fond memories of his younger brother, Carter. The two were only about two years apart.
“He was diagnosed with a brain tumor at two-and-a-half and unfortunately passed away at three. Fundraising for him became my why and my purpose,” Bucciero said.
Bucciero said St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital was there for his family throughout Carter’s diagnosis.
He said the hospital ensured his parents never received a bill during treatments and travel to its Memphis campus.
“Our hotels and flights were covered. Food was covered,” Bucciero explained.
Now more than a decade after Carter’s death, Bucciero said he has joined the St. Jude Leadership Society as a way to spread awareness and raise money to support other families.
“There’s never a pause at St. Jude—there’s always a foot on that gas—we gotta find this cure. We gotta find new treatment, new medicine, new methods of helping this child,” Bucciero said.
In just three years, Bucciero said he has raised nearly $13,000 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
He is one of nearly 40 students in the Charlotte area advocating for the hospital through the Leadership Society.
“You just have to be a high school student, grades 9-12, and be interested in giving back to your community and building your leadership skills,” said Bucciero.
For Bucciero, the leadership society has allowed him to stay connected to Carter and give his brother a voice.
“I have to accept that, not only accept that he was so young, but taken to the fact that I have his story and what I need to do with it, and this is why I’m here,” Bucciero expressed.
The St. Jude Leadership Society is currently accepting applications for Charlotte area students who are interested in joining next year. You can find that information at this link.
Every day, there are people across the Carolinas doing extraordinary things. They’re giving back, they’re helping each other, and they’re making a real difference. We’re highlighting the best in our community in our series, Carolina Strong.
Know somebody who’s making a positive impact? Let us know here.
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