It was a successful sweet sixteen for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.

About 45,300 people participated in today's race which raised more than $2 million for the fight against breast cancer.

You could see and hear the enthusiasm in the smiles and cheers of the tens of thousands of people in the crowds.

This race helps raise money and awareness about this disease that affects so many women, but it's also to honor those we've lost and those who've survived.

Taylor Thompson is just 13 and already a breast cancer survivor. She was honored as the Grand Marshal of the Survivor's Parade today.      

She and her family want to spread the message to young girls that, even though breast cancer is almost unheard of at her age, it's not too soon to start checking.

"Check your breasts and if you feel something, tell somebody," Taylor said.  

"Maybe that's the reason that God chose her, to bring us closer together," Taylor’s mom Stephanie Anderson said.

Taylor’s cancer is very rare and does not respond to chemotherapy or radiation and there is a 98% chance her cancer will come back.

But she says she holds her head up and she wants to keep working to find a cure.