Norwalk, Iowa—The Foundation for Chiropractic Education and Research (FCER) is always grateful for contributions to the cause of chiropractic research. Recently, however, there was a bittersweet donation made. After approximately 15 years of existence, the American Spinal Research Foundation (ASRF), formerly the Consortium for Chiropractic Research (CCR), dissolved. When a decision needed to be made on what to do with ASRF’s remaining funds, it was decided that the money would be given to FCER.

CCR was originally established in the mid-1980s to support the ability of chiropractic institutions to conduct research. The organization quickly grew from representing Pacific coast institutions to include nearly every chiropractic college in North America. In addition to the chiropractic colleges, CCR received "sustaining" support from the California Chiropractic Association, the Florida Chiropractic Association, and the Foundation for Chiropractic Education and Research. The mission of CCR was to "conduct and promote collaborative research and disseminate findings which expand the knowledge base of chiropractic, and to seek funding to support these efforts."

In the early 1990s, it became clear to those involved with the CCR that the primary obstacle preventing advancement in chiropractic research was the lack of money available to fund it. At that point, CCR became the American Spinal Research Foundation (ASRF) and the efforts of the organization focused primarily on raising funds. When the chiropractic profession received its first meaningful support from the Federal government, the efforts of ASRF appeared to be less useful and the organization closed its doors.

When the decision was made, the issue of what to do with remaining ASRF funds became a search for an organization with "substantially similar goals." According to Dr. Meeker, "FCER meets this intention; it is the CCR/ASRF’s hope that FCER will use the funds in ways that enhance the future capacity of chiropractic institutions to conduct research."

"As President of FCER, I am very aware of two essential aspects of chiropractic research—the ongoing need to seek funding for worthwhile investigations and the importance of helping chiropractic institutions build and sustain the necessary infrastructure to provide present and aspiring researchers the opportunity to pursue the studies and trials critical to the advancement of the science of chiropractic," said Vincent P. Lucido. "The generous gift from ASRF will enable FCER to continue in these endeavors. We are grateful."

As with all donations made to FCER, the utmost care will be taken to use the money wisely according to the mission of FCER: "To promote the health and well being of humanity by encouraging and supporting research and education relative to the field of chiropractic care, and to provide information needed to document and improve chiropractic healthcare capacity worldwide."

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