New MDA Research Shows Breakthrough in the Most Common Form of Muscular Dystrophy

Safeway Inc. (NYSE:SWY) today announced a companywide campaign during August through Labor Day to support the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) and its work to defeat more than 40 devastating neuromuscular diseases.

This is the seventh consecutive year that Safeway will conduct a nationwide fundraising campaign for MDA (Jerry’s Kids) to finance medical research and programs to improve the lives of people with neuromuscular diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

Safeway’s 2009 MDA campaign begins just days after a major break-through in muscular dystrophy research was announced. A ground-breaking study, funded by MDA and the National Institutes of Health, found that a molecule developed by researchers can neutralize the genetic flaw that causes myotonic dystrophy, the most common form of muscular dystrophy. The study, released in July in the respected academic journal Science, shows that progress of myotonic dystrophy could possibly be halted and even reversed.

“The results of the new research are a clear indication that MDA-funded research is yielding real, measurable and hopeful results in curing muscular dystrophy and related diseases worldwide. We are proud to be a major supporter of this critical work,” said Larree Renda, Safeway Executive Vice President and Chairwoman of The Safeway Foundation. Ms. Renda is also an honorary National Vice President of MDA. “The partnership with MDA allows Safeway, our customers and employees to help make important research possible. Each dollar brings us closer to more effective treatments and possible cures.”

Over the years Safeway has raised more than $41.7 million for muscular dystrophy charities through customer donations at checkout and grass-roots efforts, such as walks, golf tournaments and bake sales. During this year’s campaign Safeway will provide customers with multiple opportunities to contribute through a range of in-store fundraising activities, including MDA’s popular Aisles of Smiles program. Checkstands at all Safeway-owned stores in the U.S. will be equipped with point-of-sale materials that provide customers a convenient way to contribute to the cause – this includes all stores under the Safeway banner, including Vons, Randalls, Tom Thumb, Dominick’s, Genuardi’s, Carrs, and Pavilions. The company will also post the familiar Aisles of Smiles shelf tags on a broad selection of participating national brands.