According to the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), Safeway’s donation represents a 37% increase from the $500,000 that the company gave TGen last year. The contributions both years were based on month-long campaigns at Arizona’s Safeway stores in October 2007 and October 2008.
Dan Valenzuela, president of Safeway’s Phoenix division, said: “We’re very proud to donate to such an organization as TGen. I think everybody recognizes that, with the economy the way it is, it gets tougher to ask people for donations. Because of your research, and the things that you do, we’re honored to present you with a check.”
Jeffrey Trent, TGen’s president and scientific director, said: “This donation will be put to immediate use to help develop treatments and, eventually, find a cure for breast cancer, a major priority for us at TGen and a goal that would benefit everyone.”