BETHESDA, MD, October 5, 2011 — The Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH) announced today the launch of a month-long fundraising and awareness campaign, in conjunction with The Safeway Foundation, to support breast cancer research during Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October.

Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed type of non-skin cancer and the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women in the U.S. This year, an estimated 232,620 women will be newly diagnosed and nearly 40,000 will die from breast cancer. During October— National Breast Cancer Awareness Month—the FNIH reaffirms its long-standing commitment to supporting breast cancer research, and to educating all Americans about its risk factors, detection, and treatment.

One way the FNIH is leading the fight against this devastating disease is through the I-SPY 2 trial — a groundbreaking clinical trial that is treating women newly diagnosed with invasive breast cancer. I-SPY 2 has the potential to cut the cost and time it takes for drug development so that safe and effective new treatments can be brought to market more efficiently. This large-scale trial involves a unique collaboration by scientists from the National Cancer Institute (NCI), Federal Drug Administration (FDA), and nearly 20 major cancer research centers across the country. The Safeway Foundation has provided significant funding towards the I-SPY 2 trial, including essential funding for treatment of patients at 16 of the trial’s 19 clinical sites.

“The FNIH could not have launched I-SPY 2 without the generous contributions from The Safeway Foundation,” said Dr. Scott Campbell, Former Executive Director and CEO of the FNIH. “The FNIH encourages the public to take action during October— National Breast Cancer Awareness Month—and help raise awareness and donate to this unique and life-saving trial.”

Throughout the month of October, shoppers at nearly 1,700 Safeway stores in the United States and Canada can donate funds at the check stand that will benefit a range of breast cancer awareness, early detection and research projects across North America, including the I-SPY 2 trial. Customers will also have the opportunity to purchase special pink breast cancer reusable bags of which a dollar from each sale goes to the cause. Safeway and a number of its suppliers donate $5 for every $30 spent on products with special pink ribbon tags.

The I-SPY 2 trial is currently enrolling women with newly diagnosed invasive breast cancer. For more information please visit: ispy2.org

For more information about the I-SPY2 breast cancer clinical trial and how you can take action to support critical breast cancer research, please visit: fnih.org

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About The Safeway Foundation
The Safeway Foundation supports causes that impact our customers’ lives. Our stores provide the opportunity to mobilize funding and create awareness in our neighborhoods through our employees’ passion, partnerships with our vendors, and the generous contributions by our customers. We focus on giving locally in the areas of health and human services, hunger relief, education and helping people living with disabilities.

About the Foundation for the NIH Established by the United States Congress to support the mission of the NIH—improving health through scientific discovery in the search for cures—the Foundation for the NIH is a leader in identifying and addressing complex scientific and health issues. The Foundation is a not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) charitable organization that raises private-sector funds for a broad portfolio of unique programs that complement and enhance NIH priorities and activities. For additional information about the Foundation for the NIH, please visit www.fnih.org.