PLEASANTON, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 16, 2007--Safeway Inc. (NYSE:SWY) and the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) today unveiled a company-sponsored mobile mammography van equipped with first-of-its-kind digital screening technology at one of the company's Seattle stores. Safeway funded the $1 million cost of the van and its first two years of operation with the proceeds from a month-long Safeway breast cancer fundraising campaign. Safeway is one of the largest corporate fundraisers for breast cancer research and treatment programs in the U.S. Over the last six years the company has raised more than $25 million for breast cancer programs nationally.

The mobile screening vehicle, which will be dedicated today at Safeway's University Village store, is a 40-foot, self-contained clinic with the digital screening technology recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration to detect breast cancer more effectively than the traditional mammography screening. In addition to the $800,000 cost of the van Safeway Chairman, President and Chief Executive Steve Burd, who attended the dedication ceremony, presented
an additional $200,000 check from The Safeway Foundation to fund the van's first two years of operation. The new mobile unit will be operated by the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance in partnership with the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.

"We are enormously grateful to Safeway and its customers and employees for making this important medical technology a reality for women in Washington," said Connie Lehman, M.D., Ph.D., director of radiology at the SCCA and professor and vice chair of radiology and section head of breast imaging at the University of Washington, School
of Medicine. "The Alliance plays an important role in identifying and educating women at increased risk for breast cancer, such as women with genetic disposition to breast cancer and women with strong family histories. The van will be an extension of these programs to offer high quality digital mammography to women with increased risk."

Safeway funds a broad range of breast cancer research, treatment and awareness programs nationally -- including breast cancer mammography units in multiple markets. In addition, the company sponsors Susan Komen "Race for the Cure" events in 10 markets across the U.S. The company announced earlier today that it had raised a record $10.7 million during June for prostate cancer research, making Safeway one of the leading North American corporations supporting cancer research.

"The van is compelling evidence that our breast cancer fundraising efforts are paying off by providing access to leading-edge health services in the communities where we operate," said Safeway Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Steve Burd. "We commend the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research
Center for their leadership in making this happen."

The mammography van's digital technology can detect cancer cells up to 28 percent more accurately than the traditional film method in certain groups of women, including young women, those with dense breast tissue, women who have not reached menopause and those who are under the age of 50. The van will be staffed by a certified mammography technologist, an assistant and a driver serving up to 30 patients a day. The van contains one mammography unit, a reception area, two dressing rooms and a waiting room.

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 western Canada and had annual sales of $40.2 billion in 2006. Safeway supports a broad range of charitable and community programs and last year donated more than $154 million to important causes, such as cancer research, education, food banks and programs focused on assisting people with disabilities. The company's common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol SWY.

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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