The outgoing first lady of the United States, Laura Bush, is in Panama to promote awareness and research for breast cancer.

The wife of President George W. Bush arrived in Panama on Thursday and will be staying for a short two day visit. Mrs. Bush and the first lady of Panama, Vivian Fernandez de Torrijos, first made a visit to a Panama public library in Panama City and spent time together learning about an educational exchange program that exists between Panama and the United States.

On Friday, Mrs. Bush will be participating in an event that will formally add Panama to a regional alliance to promote breast cancer awareness and research.  This alliance currently includes; Brazil, Costa Rica, Mexico and the USA from the Americas.

The program is the brainchild of Mrs. Bush and was launched in 2007. The program provides economic and clinical aid while also encouraging doctors to share information with the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center at the U. of Texas.