Despite tensions between the United States and the Middle East, Laura Bush announced Monday a plan to raise breast cancer awareness in the Middle East -- first with partnerships with the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia and later with Morocco and Jordan. Joining forces also with the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, and Johns Hopkins Medical Center, the First Lady outlined a plan that will allow governments, hospitals, researchers, and survivors to work globally to defeat breast cancer. Campaigns specific to each country will target research, training, and community-outreach programs. The reason for this partnership -- to raise awareness in countries where women are too embarrassed or too uninformed to seek treatment -- stems from compassion and human decency and a desire to form diplomatic friendships too. Laura Bush, whose own mother is a breast cancer survivor, shared that the tragedy of losing a loved one to breast cancer -- and the joy of watching a loved one survive this same disease -- is felt universally. Breast cancer affects all women in all countries. Borders make no difference in this matter. And helping save lives is the right thing to do.

Shannon Harken wrote an essay to nominate her mother, Sue Myers of Pleasantville, Iowa, as the most amazing mother in the world because of her mother's zest for life and the positive example she set while battling breast cancer. Of the more than 14,000 Mom's the Word essay submissions, Kohl's unveiled the ten most amazing role model mom finalists of the contest and Harken's essay about her mother placed Myers in the top ten moms of the year. Ultimately, America will vote to decide who will be this year's number one amazing mom. All ten essays are featured at Kohl's, where you can vote for the essay and mother you feel best deserves to win.

The role model with the most votes will earn a $5,000 shopping spree, a style transformation, and will be escorted by Daisy Fuentes on a trip to Fashion Week in Los Angeles. In addition, Kohl's and Fuentes will honor the grand prize winner during a ceremony in her hometown on May 13. All mothers are amazing, but I went and voted for Myers. Knowing what she has been through by way of the fact I am a breast cancer survivor and I know what I went through -- I would like to see her win and enjoy a day of special recognition, pampering and fun. Voting ends May 8. Shannon's essay about her mother Sue is cute. It's number #2. Go here to vote.

When you are a mother diagnosed with breast cancer, you worry about your children. How are they coping? Your children spend an equal amount of time worrying about your surviving cancer. Sometimes, the best you can do is allow them to help in any way they can, to give them a sense of control of a terrifying situation. My teenage son made a bowl of Jello each and every day while I was going through chemotherapy and was too nauseous to keep solid food down. My younger son hovered over me, resting his hand on my forehead, as a way to connect, as a way to care.

When Laura Cawley's mom was diagnosed with breast cancer, through surgery and months of chemotherapy, the 15 year-old teen helped her mother around the house and never missed a day of school. Now, Suzanne Cawley, 42, a teaching assistant at Spalding Parish Church of England Day School, wants to thank her exceptional daughter by attempting to win a contest for a chance to ride in the £10,000 coach that carried celebrity Jordan to her wedding with Peter Andre. If the Spalding High School student Laura wins, she and two friends will ride in the white and gold pumpkin coach to their prom on May 12 - and to make it even more special it will be Laura's 16th birthday.

If you live in the UK, please consider helping Suzanne win this for her daughter. To vote for Laura call 09012 290194 or text LAURA to 86611. Calls cost 25p per call. Texts cost 25p per text plus network charges. Lines close on March 30.