Safeway Puts Seattle-based Mobile Mammography Van On the Road

PLEASANTON, Calif. -- Safeway Inc. and the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) yesterday unveiled a Safeway-sponsored mobile mammography van equipped with first-of-its-kind digital screening technology.

The mobile screening vehicle was dedicated at Safeway's University Village store. It is a 40-foot, self-contained clinic with the digital screening technology recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration to detect breast cancer more effectively than the traditional mammography screening.

"The van is compelling evidence that our breast cancer fundraising efforts are paying off by providing access to leading edge health services in the communities where we operate," said Safeway chairman, president, and c.e.o. Steve Burd.

Safeway funded the $1 million cost of the program with the proceeds from a month-long Safeway breast cancer fundraising campaign. While $800,000 covered the cost of the van, Burd, who attended the dedication ceremony, presented an additional $200,000 check from The Safeway Foundation to fund the van's first two years of operation. The new mobile unit will be operated by the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance in partnership with the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.

Safeway is one of the largest corporate fundraisers for breast cancer research and treatment programs in the U.S. Over the last six years the company has raised more than $25 million for breast cancer programs nationally.

Safeway said the van will be staffed by a certified mammography technologist, an assistant, and a driver, and will serve up to 30 patients a day. The vehicle contains one mammography unit, a reception area, two dressing rooms, and a waiting room.

Safeway operates 1,755 stores in the United States and western Canada and had annual sales of $40.2 billion in 2006.
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