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Safeway's prostate cancer fundraiser under way
12th year of campaign that's raised $68 million for research

Pleasanton-based Safeway Inc. 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 2 million American men and remains the second-leading cause of cancer death for men in the U.S. One in six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime, studies show.

To date, Safeway and its 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 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% 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 over-treating less and curing more," said Dr. Jonathan Simons, 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."

A limited-edition, reusable shopping bag, embossed with the words, "It starts with a wish; it can end with a cure," is available for purchase at all Safeway locations.