Safeway Raises Over $9 Million to Fund Prostate Cancer Research

PLEASANTON, Calif., July 25, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Safeway Inc. (NYSE: SWY) today announced that its month-long Prostate Cancer Awareness Campaign raised over $9 million to help find new treatments and an ultimate cure for prostate cancer.

"We are infinitely grateful for all of the customer and community support for a campaign that will help save the lives of countless men worldwide," said Larree Renda, Safeway Executive Vice President and Chair of the Safeway Foundation. "Prostate cancer is the number one cancer killer of men. These contributions, one dollar at a time, are sparing lives by funding critical research and the absolute best treatment at the most renowned cancer centers in North America."

This is the 12^th year that Safeway, one of the largest corporate supporters of cancer research, has dedicated the entire month of June to raising funds at its stores, production facilities and corporate offices for prostate cancer research. The company works with the Prostate Cancer Foundation to identify and provide grants for promising research. The outcomes of the nearly 1,600 Safeway-funded research projects include the identification of more than 27 cancer-causing gene fusions, new biomarkers for diagnosis and treatment response assessment and the development of new drugs to deliver more effective treatments for patients with advanced stages of the disease. The death rate has dropped roughly 40 percent in the U.S. alone, meaning nearly 200,000 American men are alive today because of improved treatment.

"The partnership with Safeway, its customers and employees has been nothing short of amazing," said Jonathan Simons, MD, President and CEO of the Prostate Cancer Foundation. "Advancements made possible by these donations are paving the way for better methods to diagnose and treat patients battling the disease."

The 2012 Prostate Cancer Awareness Campaign included a special promotion through a partnership with Stand Up 2 Cancer — a program of the Entertainment Industry Foundation.  Actress Angie Harmon, star of TNT's original drama series, Rizzoli & Isles, appeared in public service ads (PSA's) supporting cancer research. The PSA's highlighted a limited-edition, reusable shopping bag, embossed with the words, "It starts with a wish; it can end with a cure." The bag was available for purchase at all Safeway locations in the U.S as well as online at safewayfoundation.org.

Along with prostate cancer research and support for those with disabilities, Safeway is one of the largest corporate supporters of breast cancer research. In addition, Safeway is an industry leader in environmental sustainability, ethical business practices and effective community outreach.  Safeway upholds an operating philosophy that is rooted in corporate social responsibility focused on four key fundamentals: People, Products, Community, and the Planet.  These fundamentals are "The Heart of Safeway," bringing together our passion for food and serving our customers with the rapidly developing needs of our communities and our planet. In 2011, the company raised and donated more than $180 million for hunger relief, education and the previously mentioned important causes.

ABOUT SAFEWAY www.Safeway.com 
Safeway Inc. is a Fortune 100 company and one of the largest food and drug retailers in North America, based on sales. The company operates 1,666 stores in the United States and western Canada and had annual sales of $43.6 billion in 2011. The company's common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol SWY.

Contact: Teena Massingill, 925-467-3810, [email protected]

SOURCE Safeway Inc.