Attitude is everything when it comes to Kids fighting cancer and Lena Hicks has the attitude of a survivor. She'll share her experiences with as many people as she can during the next year as a SSK Spokeskid.

The Detroit native is a currently a sophomore at Eastern Michigan University , where she is majoring in Music Performance on the viola.

Diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma in October 2002, Lena couldn't comprehend exactly what was in store for her.

"I was in the emergency room and had just undergone a CAT scan," she explained. "I had a young doctor and he came up to me and said, 'you have Lymphoma,' and I said, 'okay give me an Advil and let me go home, I'm hungry.'"

It wasn't until later the next morning when she was transferred to Detroit 's Children Hospital that she figured out this wasn't something that could be fixed with an over-the-counter pain medicine.

"The nurses told me I had to undergo radiation and that I would be sick and I said, 'okay, I've vomited before, let's go and get it over with.' Then they told me that my hair would fall out and I asked, 'will it grow back?' and they said it would and I said, 'okay, let's do it.'"

It wasn't until much later in her chemo and radiation treatments that things got hard for Lena .

"When I couldn't play my viola, that's when I cried," she explained. "When I couldn't see my friends or couldn't eat ravioli, that's when things got hard."

So a little more than month into her senior year of high school, Lena found herself in the fight of her life. Determined not to miss out on activities, Lena often tried to go to school during her chemo treatments.

"I would start out on Mondays getting the highest doses of medicine but by Thursday I would beg my mother to go to school and she would let me. About mid-morning she would get a call from the school nurse to come pick me up because I couldn't walk," Lena explained. "Sometimes my mom wouldn't even leave because she knew I would be coming home soon."

Despite the treatments, Lena graduated with a 3.4 GPA and even attended prom, determined to do as much as she could.

Her doctors advised her to take the fall semester off before going to college and in September 2003 she attended the SSK's California Fun Time Fantasy trip and was asked back as a senior Kid on the June 2004 Texas Hill Country Adventure.

"Sunshine Kids have provided me with wonderful opportunities," she said. " It's the focus that helps me branch out into other things. They have inspired me in so many ways."

While continuing her studies at Eastern Michigan, Lena draws inspiration from her favorite music group, "Bond," a string quartet based in London .

"I hope to be the first African American classical/crossover viola soloist," she added. We have no doubt she'll do just that.

Like Will Rogers before her, Krista Marchese has never met a stranger. Every person she comes in contact with is treated like a life-long friend. That quality will serve her well during her year-long role as SSK Spokeskid.

The 17-year old from Center Moriches (on Long Island) NY, is registered as a junior at Center Moriches High School , home of the Red Devils, although she is currently being home-tutored.

"I'd rather be in school with my friends," she said. "Most kids want to stay home from school but I'd rather be there with my friends."

Diagnosed with Osteo-Genetic Sarcoma in October 2003, Krista underwent an initial 20-hour surgery, 18 rounds of chemotherapy and seven weeks of radiation to treat tumors in her lower back. She underwent her fifth, and hopefully last, surgery on Jan. 18, 2005 .

Despite the long road she has traveled the last 15 months, Krista is upbeat and vibrant. She is enthusiastic when talking about recent events in her life like getting her new pet dog, Bella, a maltese-poodle mix, or an event celebrated with some close personal friends.

" I had a party for my birthday and we invited 140 people but 200 people showed up, " she explained. "It was a lot of fun and a very big party."

Krista seems to have fun wherever she is. From participating in the SSK's Texas Hill Country Adventure last summer to hanging out with SSKids for the day during their visit to the Big Apple in July.

"The trip to Texas was so much fun, it was a week without people trying to check me out," she recalled. "It was a week where I could hang out and be a regular teenager."

Like other teenagers, Krista enjoys all types of music from the Red Hot Chili Peppers to Simple Plan to Snoop Dog and Ashlee Simpson. Watching movies is another thing Krista enjoys and counts Jim Carrey and Will Farrell as her favorite actors but has a real crush on Leonardo DiCaprio.

Krista is approaching her new role with SSK with her normal enthusiasm and a healthy dose of curiosity.

"I love the SSK organization-it's a great idea," Krista explained, adding, "I love to talk to people and I think it will be a good experience for me."