Former U.S. Sen. Robert Dole has given $150,000 to Kansas University Hospital and the KU Medical Center for spinal research.

The money will be used for as-yet undetermined clinical research projects involving spinal cord research at the Marc A. Asher, M.D., Comprehensive Spine Center at KU Hospital.

Dole, in a phone interview on Wednesday, said that he believed that those who had gone up the ladder should reach back and help others, and that he felt a personal connection to spinal cord research.

“In World War II, I had a spinal cord injury and I couldn’t walk and I couldn’t use my arm,” in addition to other impairments, Dole said. “Fortunately, my spinal cord was only bruised instead of cut, or I wouldn’t have been able to do what I’ve done.”

Dole said he’s also donated to other causes in Kansas, including the Washburn University law school and the Hays Medical Center.

“I never would have been successful without a lot of Kansas people,” he said.

Dennis McCulloch, a KU Hospital spokesman, said the spine center had been in place at KU Hospital since November, and brought together surgeons, neurologists and other medical professionals to collaborate on spinal cord research.

In the center, one “spineologist” evaluates a patient’s condition before recommending a course of action.

“What we have here is a center where they’re all working together,” McCulloch said.

The new funds will be used for research done through KU Medical Center, McCulloch said.

The projects could begin as soon as this year.