Congressional Leaders Applaud Safeway for Prostate Cancer Campaign

Business Wire, June 15, 2005

WASHINGTON -- Safeway Inc. (NYSE:SWY) A bipartisan group of U.S. House and Senate Congressional leaders applauded Safeway and two prostate cancer research and advocacy groups for their efforts to raise funds and awareness of prostate cancer. Led by Senator Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) and Congressman Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ), lawmakers gathered on Capitol Hill to recount their stories as prostate cancer survivors and focus public attention on the disease.

Earlier this month Safeway launched a company-wide campaign to raise money and awareness for prostate cancer. The company hopes to raise $4 million during June for prostate cancer research. Over the past four years Safeway has raised more than $8.3 million for prostate cancer research. The funds will be donated to the Prostate Cancer Foundation, the world's largest philanthropic supporter of prostate cancer research and facilitator of grants to more than 1,200 researchers at 100 institutions worldwide.

"We appreciate the recognition on Capitol Hill for our public awareness efforts to encourage testing and help find a cure for this disease," said Safeway Chairman, President and CEO Steve Burd, who was recognized at the event for Safeway's leadership on the issue. "One in six men will develop prostate cancer in the course of his lifetime. We want to do our part to decrease that number and help find a cure."

During June Safeway provides customers with several opportunities to contribute to the cause. Shoppers can donate by purchasing a blue ribbon paper tag at check stands in Safeway stores. Stores are also selling blue "I'm helping cure prostate cancer" wristbands. Safeway, the Prostate Cancer Foundation and singer Jeff Austin Black have partnered in June to offer a special CD of Austin Black's songs for $2, with all proceeds going to the Prostate Cancer Foundation.

Safeway will also be sharing important facts about the disease with its customers. Throughout June, public service messages will be provided to customers through radio, print and other media about prostate cancer. Safeway pharmacies will sell a specially-priced self screening kit that tells men if they are at elevated risk. Annual PSA testing is a safe and effective aid in the detection of prostate diseases, such as prostate cancer.

Additional Congressional leaders that joined together at the event leading into Father's Day weekend were, Senators Tim Johnson (D-SD), Richard Shelby (R-AL), Congressmen Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ), Stephanie Herseth (D-SD), Tim Holden (D-PA), Kendrick Meek (D-FL), and Peter King (R-NY). Also participating in the event were former Los Angeles Dodgers manager, baseball Hall of Famer and Prostate Cancer Foundation Goodwill Ambassador Tommy Lasorda, former major league baseball all-star Robin Ventura, National Co-Chairman for the Prostate Cancer Home Run Challenge and Prostate Cancer Foundation Chairman and Founder, Mike Milken, and Dr. Richard Atkins, CEO, National Prostate Cancer Coalition.

Safeway Inc. is a Fortune 50 company and one of the largest food and drug retailers in North America based on sales. The company operates 1,802 stores in the United States under the Vons, Pavilions, Carrs, Randalls, Tom Thumb, Genuardis, and Dominicks banners. The company had annual sales of $35.8 billion in 2004 and its common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol SWY.