Albertsons Named Title Sponsor of Melanoma International Foundation's Multi-City Safe in the Shade Walkathons.

PHILADELPHIA -- Leading National Grocery Store Chain Joins List of Sponsors in Efforts to Raise Melanoma Awareness

Albertsons, ShedRain Corporation and Domaine Ste. Michelle have joined Melanoma International Foundation (MIF) as the national sponsors of its multi-city Safe in the Shade Walkathons to occur on May 1, 2005 in Philadelphia, Phoenix and Seattle. Melanoma, a life threatening skin cancer caused by too much sun exposure is nearly 90 percent curable when caught early by skin cancer screenings. The Safe in the Shade Walkathons' goal of raising awareness and spurring early detection via free screenings for all participants has inspired national companies' support and involvement.

According to Catherine Poole, MIF President and Founder, "The addition of Albertsons, ShedRain and Domaine Ste. Michelle sponsorships has greatly elevated MIF's ability to spread our lifesaving message about the importance of melanoma skin cancer screenings. Embedding our cause within their corporate philosophy and consumer outreach, Albertsons and Domaine Ste. Michelle have augmented our Safe in the Shade Walkathons' grassroots promotion, while ShedRain is helping us equip and protect people from harmful sunrays by providing walkathon participants with a UV protected ShedRays umbrella."

Nationwide Companies Support Melanoma Efforts

As the naming sponsor, Albertsons plans to draw on its pharmacies, store promotions and vendors to raise melanoma awareness and prevention. Hundreds of Albertsons grocery stores will participate and include: Acme Grocery Stores in the Philadelphia region, Albertsons in the Seattle region, and Albertsons-Osco and Osco Drug in the Phoenix region.

Known for creating superb water-resistant umbrellas, ShedRain based in Portland, OR has specifically created and designed a new line of UV protected umbrellas entitled ShedRays to benefit the MIF. "We realized we could help fight this melanoma epidemic by protecting people with a product we've been creating for years. Umbrellas are the perfect tools to shade and protect. Developing the ShedRays umbrella in conjunction with the Safe in the Shade Walkathons enables us to showcase an alternative way to avoid direct sun exposure. We are excited to see everyone using the umbrellas during the upcoming walkathons," said Jeff Blauer, Vice President of ShedRain.

"Domaine Ste. Michelle was inspired to become involved in this important program after losing a former employee to melanoma. The company is honored to play a role in raising funds and awareness for the prevention of melanoma," said Eileen Votteler, Communications Manager of Ste. Michelle Wine Estates. Domaine Ste. Michelle's vintners have collaborated in the fundraising efforts by bottling a sparkling wine to benefit MIF. The special reserve vintage wine labeled "Safe in the Shade" is currently being sold at www.ste-michelle.com/melanoma . The winery also plans to host promotional melanoma awareness wine events at Albertsons stores in Seattle, WA and Albertsons-Osco in Phoenix, AZ.

Founded in 2003 by melanoma survivor and 15-year melanoma patient advocate Catherine Poole, the MIF seeks to educate the public about the rising incidence of melanoma in our country with a myriad of prevention and awareness programs targeting all ages, including lobbying state government to regulate tanning salons, prenatal education, as well as provide support services to those battling melanoma. Ms. Poole was recently appointed as the Melanoma Patient Advocate for the National Cancer Institute's (NCI) Cancer Advocates in Research & Related Activities and is a member of the Pennsylvania Governor's Cancer Advisory Council. Aside from being a fervent melanoma advocate, Ms. Poole is the author of Melanoma Prevention, Detection and Early Treatment (Yale University Press revised 2005) with renowned melanoma expert, DuPont Guerry, IV M.D.

For more information about Safe in the Shade Walkathons, visit www.melanomaintl.org, email: [e-mail] and/or contact the Melanoma International Foundation at 1-866-463-6663.

The Melanoma International Foundation is a Philadelphia-based 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit public charity whose purpose is to combat melanoma through education awareness, prevention, early detection, collaboration with other groups and governmental entities, research, professional and public outreach, treatment, and support and referral services to newly diagnosed patients. Melanoma International Foundation, 250 Mapleflower Rd., Glenmoore, PA 19343, 1-866-463-6663 (toll free), email: [e-mail], website: www.melanomaintl.org