Safeway Inc. to be honored with 12th annual E. Donnall Thomas Medal from Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center

Awardees of the E. Donnall Thomas Medal of Achievement

SEATTLE — May 10, 2007 — The 2007 E. Donnall Thomas Medal of Achievement, presented by Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, will be awarded to Safeway Inc. One of the nation's largest supermarket chains, Safeway Inc. has raised millions of dollars for charitable causes with the support of its employees and customers.

Greg Sparks, president of Safeway Inc., Seattle Division, will accept the honor at the Thomas Award Luncheon to be held Tuesday, Oct. 9 at The Fairmont Olympic Hotel in Seattle.

"The generosity of Safeway's associates exemplifies the spirit of citizenship that the medal represents," said Lee Hartwell, Ph.D., president and director of the Hutchinson Center. "Reaching out to those in need is an integral part of the corporate culture for Safeway. This company's leadership consistently engages its employees and customers to help others, impacting local and global causes and serving as an example of outstanding leadership in the community."

The Thomas Medal of Achievement is named after E. Donnall Thomas, M.D., a founding member of the Hutchinson Center who in 1990 received the Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine for his pioneering achievements in bone-marrow transplantation, which have saved thousands of lives. The annual award celebrates companies and business leaders who, like Thomas, have dedicated their lives to excellence and compassion.

"When Safeway opened its doors in 1926 it was with a commitment to serve our customers and communities with excellence," Sparks said. "It gives me great pride to know that we are upholding this tradition today, though on a dramatically larger scale, and building upon our philanthropic success stories."

Safeway Inc.'s commitment to philanthropy focuses on four categories: hunger relief, health and human services, education and people with disabilities. In addition to the Hutchinson Center, beneficiaries include various hunger-relief organizations, Children's Hospital & Regional Medical Center, the American Heart Association, the American Lung Association, Easter Seals and Special Olympics. In addition, Safeway donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to victims of the devastating tsunami in South Asia and Eastern Africa and to Hurricane Katrina victims on the Gulf Coast.

A gift of more than $800,000 to the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (which unites the cancer-care services of the Hutchinson Center, UW Medicine, and Children's Hospital) will bring a mobile-mammography clinic with the latest diagnostic-technology tools to women who might not otherwise receive screening for breast cancer.

"Our recent donation of the mobile-mammography clinic was a highlight not only for our company, but our employees and customers as well," Sparks said. "Together, our end results are a reflection of the profound impact we have when everyone works together for causes we all believe in."

Since its inception in 1995, the Thomas Medal has built upon on a tradition of collaboration between local and regional business leaders and the Hutchinson Center. Business leadership helps the Hutchinson Center reach beyond its immediate support network by creating connections between the Center and business communities throughout the Northwest and beyond.

For more information regarding the Thomas Award Luncheon, visit http://www.fhcrc.org/thomasawardluncheon.

Awardees of the E. Donnall Thomas Medal of Achievement

The E. Donnall Thomas Medal of Achievement honors those who have dedicated their lives to excellence. It is presented each year by Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center to a local business or leader distinguished by the kind of inspirational vision, dedication and leadership for which E. Donnall Thomas, M.D., is renowned. Thomas, the Hutchinson Center's emeritus director of Clinical Research, won the 1990 Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine for his pioneering work in bone-marrow transplantation.

Media Contact
Christi Ball Loso
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
(206) 667-5215
closo@fhcrc.org

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Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
At Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, our interdisciplinary teams of world-renowned scientists and humanitarians work together to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer, HIV/AIDS and other diseases. Our researchers, including three Nobel laureates, bring a relentless pursuit and passion for health, knowledge and hope to their work and to the world. For more information, please visit www.fhcrc.org.