BOSTON -- It's become an annual event to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research.

NewsCenter 5's Liz Brunner reported that this year the annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure will have more young runners and walkers in the crowd, thanks to a group of dedicated teens from Sharon.

At Sharon High School, Grace Rehnquist is an accomplished basketball player and honor student. But the real honors come from her dedication to raising awareness about breast cancer.

"It's important for kids to know that they can actually make a difference to stop such a terrible disease," she said.

After joining the 5k race in Boston last year, Grace and some friends decided to form their own team: Kids for the Cure. So far, they have 50 teens on the team, and they've raised $6,000.

"Seventy-five percent of it goes back to Massachusetts for education, screening and access to care," Grace said.

Breast cancer is a personal hardship for some of these teens. Grace's aunt was diagnosed with breast cancer this year. Taylor lost his mom to the disease when he was 5 years old.

"I wish she could be here now so she could see what I'm doing," Taylor said. "I know how hard it was and, so if I could help reach a cure, people wouldn't have to go through what I did."

Caleb's mother, Debbie, is a seven-year breast cancer survivor. He and his cousin, Megan Piltch, are Kids for the Cure leaders.

"I'm glad to do this. I would give up anything to do this," she said.

They want their peers to know that they have the power to make a difference, to change lives and save them.

The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure takes place on Sept. 7 at UMass Boston.