Safeway's Prostate Cancer Fundraiser Yields New Hope in Cancer Research

PLEASANTON, Calif., June 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Safeway Inc. (NYSE: SWY), one of the largest corporate supporters of cancer research and outreach, and The Safeway Foundation are continuing their effort to fund ground-breaking research and the pursuit of a cure with a month-long Prostate Cancer Awareness campaign in June.

The campaign, which is in its 12th year, is designed to raise funds and increase awareness for the fight against the disease, which currently affects more than two million American men and remains the second-leading cause of cancer death for men in the United States. 1 in 6 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime.

To date, Safeway and The Safeway Foundation have raised more than $68 million for the Prostate Cancer Foundation, the world's largest philanthropic source of support for prostate cancer research. Those donations, provided by Safeway's generous customers, are accelerating game-changing research and discovery at some of the most prestigious cancer centers and research institutions in North America. 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 commitment from Safeway, its customers and The Safeway Foundation is moving us closer to the ultimate goal of overtreating less and curing more," said Jonathan Simons, MD, president and CEO of the Prostate Cancer Foundation. "When people donate at any of Safeway's nearly 1,700 stores, they can know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that their money is helping to save lives."

New for this year's campaign is a promotion in partnership with Stand Up 2 Cancer — a program of the Entertainment Industry Foundation — and actress Angie Harmon, star of TNT's original drama series, Rizzoli & Isles, who is now appearing in public service ads supporting cancer research. The PSA's highlight a limited-edition, reusable shopping bag, embossed with the words, "It starts with a wish; it can end with a cure." The bag is available for purchase at all Safeway locations in the U.S., including Vons, Pavilions, Tom Thumb, Randalls, Dominick's and Carrs stores, as well as online at safewayfoundation.org.

The Prostate Cancer Awareness Campaign launches just one month after Safeway completed another major fundraiser, the Support for People with Disabilities campaign, which benefits Easter Seals, Special Olympics and an array of other organizations that help those with physical or developmental disabilities live fuller lives. That campaign raised $9 million thanks to Safeway's customers, employees and a special partnership with singer Avril Lavigne, who provided a special song download and an online behind-the-scenes concert footage to those who contributed $5 or more.

Along with prostate cancer research and support for those with disabilities, Safeway is one of the largest corporate supporters of breast cancer research, having raised more than $108 million for the cause. 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 1,678 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.