PLEASANTON, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 4, 2007--With Father's Day just a few weeks away, Safeway Inc. (NYSE:SWY) is launching a month-long education and fundraising campaign to help increase awareness of prostate cancer, the importance of receiving regular screenings, and the need to fund research to help find a cure. According to the Prostate Cancer Foundation, 1 in 6 men in the United States are affected by prostate cancer.

More than 218,000 men in the U.S. will be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year and more than 27,000 men will die from the disease.
With early screenings and early detection, prostate cancer has a nearly 90 percent cure rate.

Safeway and all its stores throughout the United States and Canada have pledged to raise $6.5 million in June as part of the campaign, which will reach millions of customers through public service messages that will appear in radio, print and in-store advertising. To meet the fundraising goal, customers will be able to make donations at the checkstand when shopping at their local Safeway. For the second year, recording artist Jeff Austin Black is lending his support by offering a special three-song CD sampler for customers who donate at the company's stores. In addition, Safeway stores and employees will conduct their own special fundraising events. Over the last seven years, Safeway, its customers and employees have raised nearly $18 million during the annual Prostate Cancer Awareness month fundraisers. With this year's fundraising goal, Safeway's total support for prostate cancer research will reach nearly $25 million.

"Prostate cancer has a 90 percent cure rate. Screenings, early detection and education can save lives," said Safeway Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Steve Burd. "During the month of June we hope to make a difference by not only encouraging screenings, but by raising funds to help find a cure for this disease."

This marks the seventh consecutive year that Safeway has been raising awareness and funds for prostate cancer research. The company has teamed up with the Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF), the world's largest philanthropic supporter of prostate cancer research, to distribute the funds raised to cancer research projects at some of North America's most respected hospitals and cancer centers. The funds raised are donated directly to the Prostate Cancer Foundation, which provides grants to teaching hospitals and cancer centers doing leading-edge research. In 2006 PCF made grants in Safeway's name to comprehensive cancer centers in the company's operating areas, including the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle, Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, the University of California at San Francisco, and the University of California at Los Angeles. This year funds raised will be distributed through grants in the name of Safeway by the Prostate Cancer Foundation to research institutions throughout the United States.

"Our relationship with Safeway is nothing short of remarkable," said Jonathan W. Simons, MD, Chief Executive Officer and President of the PCF. "The company has found a way to tap the generosity of its customers and employees, and in the process, create an important funding stream for some of the most innovative and potentially lifesaving research occurring in the U.S."

Prostate cancer is one of many important causes supported by Safeway and The Safeway Foundation, the company's philanthropic arm. Later this year, the company will conduct a month-long campaign to support breast cancer research and education programs. In 2006 total contributions by Safeway and The Safeway Foundation exceeded $154 million in cash and product donations. Giving is focused on four major areas: education, hunger relief, people with disabilities, and health and human services.

About Safeway

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 1,755 stores in the United States and Canada and had annual sales of $40.2 billion in 2006. The company's common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol SWY.

About the Prostate Cancer Foundation

The Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) is the world's largest philanthropic source of support for prostate cancer research. Founded in 1993, the PCF has raised more than $288 million and provided funding for prostate cancer research to more than 1,400 researchers at 100 institutions worldwide. The PCF has a simple, yet urgent goal: to find better treatments and a cure for recurrent prostate cancer.

Copyright Business Wire 2007

Albertsons Companies

Albertsons Companies

Albertsons Companies is a leading food and drug retailer in the United States. As of February 26, 2022, the Company operated 2,276 retail stores with 1,722 pharmacies, 402 associated fuel centers, 22 dedicated distribution centers and 20 manufacturing facilities. The Company operates stores across 34 states and the District of Columbia with 24 banners including Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, Shaw's, Acme, Tom Thumb, Randalls, United Supermarkets, Pavilions, Star Market, Haggen, Carrs, Kings Food Markets and Balducci's Food Lovers Market. The Company is committed to helping people across the country live better lives by making a meaningful difference, neighborhood by neighborhood. In 2021, along with the Albertsons Companies Foundation, the Company contributed nearly $200 million in food and financial support, including approximately $40 million through our Nourishing Neighbors Program to ensure those living in our communities have enough to eat.

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