Nearly nine years after losing his daughter, Gary Cuccia continues his fight against dating violence.

Cuccia, a chiropractor-turned-activist in New Alexandria, shared his tragic story with nearly 600 10th grade students at Seneca Valley Intermediate High School.

His daughter, Demi Brae Cuccia, was stabbed to death by her ex boyfriend, John Mullarkey on the eve of Aug. 15, 2007. She celebrated her 16th birthday one day earlier and passed her driver’s permit test earlier that fateful day.

“The pain never goes away. It’s a tough thing to live with,” Cuccia said. “For me, doing advocacy is a way of channeling that pain off into something meaningful in a way that maybe will save someone else’s life.”

Gary Cuccia later founded the Demi Brae Cuccia Awareness Organization, which aims to raise awareness and combat teen dating violence.

More information on the organization can be found at www.demibrae.com.

He and his wife also traveled the state to pass legislation that would mandate public schools to teach the subject of teen dating abuse, which eventually was passed as part of Act 104.

Principal Matthew Delp said the presentation was part of the 10th grade class’ health curriculum.

“It’s a great way to connect the reality of what we teach and a real tragedy,” Delp said.

Wristbands and informational pamphlets were also given at the presentation.