Employees and shoppers at Oregon Safeway stores in October have the opportunity to donate to local breast cancer research during this year's annual Breast Cancer Awareness Month Campaign. Half of those funds will go toward establishing a laboratory dedicated to breast cancer research at the Robert W. Franz Cancer Research Center in the Earle A. Chiles Research Institute.
Funds will also benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure of Oregon and Southwest Washington and the Safeway Research Grant Program for scientists specializing in breast cancer research.
The Safeway Breast Cancer Research Laboratory in the Franz Cancer Research Center will figure prominently in the new 11-story Providence Cancer Center to open on the Providence Portland Medical Center Campus in March 2008. The new building will more than double Providence Cancer Center's research capabilities and bring comprehensive patient care and support services under one roof for more coordinated care.
Nationwide, Safeway's annual Breast Cancer Awareness Month campaign has made it one of the largest corporate sponsors of breast cancer research in the United States. During the past six years, customers and employees at more than 1,800 stores throughout North America have raised more than $25 million – $8.3 million in 2006 alone – to fund local and national cancer research.
Safeway's month-long campaign also focuses on early detection through annual breast screenings for women at high risk for developing breast cancer and all women over 40.
