Amway Japan Funds VAI Program

GRAND RAPIDS — Amway Japan has established a two-year, $120,000 fellowship to support a Japanese researcher working with the Van Andel Research Institute’s cancer genetics team.

The Amway Japan Fellowship in Kidney Cancer Research was designed to advance the sturdy of pediatric and adult kidney cancer causes and treatment.

Kunihiko Futami, Ph.D., a research fellow with the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science at Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, was selected for the research position and began his postdoctoral fellowship at VARI April 19.

He is a member of the Molecular Biology Society of Japan and is a native of Saitama, Japan.

“Underwriting this fellowship was a natural for Amway Japan,” said Gary Sumihiro, COO of Amway Japan.

“The focus of our international philanthropic efforts has been children’s issues,” he said.

“We’re confident this partnership will result in better, more effective treatment for children, as well as adults, with kidney cancer worldwide.”