Chiropractic interns from the Cleveland University-Kansas City (CUKC) Chiropractic Health Center were invited to share their skills and connect with the local community at the 10th Annual Spencer C. Duncan Make It Count 5K Run/Walk, on July 31 in Gardner, Kan. The 5K event is the primary fundraising event for the Spencer C. Duncan Make It Count Foundation, which works to honor and assist veterans.
The CUKC interns met with veterans and others attendees to offer wellness guidance and distribute information about chiropractic care. Dr. Angie Segovia, community outreach coordinator for the CUKC Chiropractic Health Center, said the event was a positive experience.
“Studies show that our armed forces veterans benefit greatly from chiropractic care, and relatively new legislation passed in 2018 expanded veterans’ ability to seek a chiropractic, non-drug approach to pain care,” Segovia said. “Connecting future chiropractors with veterans and those that support them, helps strengthen our communities.”
The foundation was started by Dale and Megan Duncan, parents of U.S. Army Spc. Spencer C. Duncan of Olathe, Kan., who was one of 30 servicemen who died on Aug. 6, 2011, when their Chinook helicopter was shot down in Afghanistan. The Duncan family is passionate about giving to our nation’s veterans and their families, and about supporting communities that work alongside veterans.
The foundation has raised more than $750,000, which has provided books and tuition scholarships to more than 300 veterans at area colleges and universities. In 2020, the foundation contributed funds for CUKC veteran scholarships for the fourth consecutive year.
For years, CUKC has actively worked to serve those who serve our nation. CUKC offers student financial aid to U.S. military and veterans, which includes participating in the Yellow Ribbon program.
In 1999, Congress authorized the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to begin providing chiropractic care. Since late 2004, chiropractic has been included in the standard medical benefits package available to all enrolled veterans.
CUKC has an educational affiliation with the VA, that allows chiropractic interns to provide care for veterans at the Kansas City VA Medical Center under the supervision of a licensed doctor of chiropractic.
In addition to having its interns meeting with area veterans and event participants at the 5K event, the CUKC Chiropractic Health Center donated funds to the St. Michael’s Veterans Center, a Spencer C. Duncan Make it Count 5K partner. The interns that participated with Segovia’s assistance include David Corona, Ali Naji, Wade Ceplina, Heidi Marshall, Carlyn Jackson, and Christopher Robinson.
To learn more about the Spencer C. Duncan Make It Count Foundation, or to make a donation, visit MakeItCountToday.org.
