Bob Woodruff

Class of 1979
Journalism/Philanthropy
Co-anchor and correspondent
ABC World News Tonight
Founder of the Bob Woodruff Foundation
from bobwoodrufffoundation.org:
Ten years ago, Bob and Lee Woodruff seemed to have it all. But when Bob’s armored vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb while covering the war in Iraq, life changed in an instant.

Bob was reporting on the transfer of power between U.S. and Iraqi security forces for ABC’s “World News Tonight,” Jan. 29, 2006, when he sustained his life-threatening traumatic brain injury. Lee was on vacation with their children when she received the call — and was soon thrust into the role of caregiver. Thanks to the quick actions of brave soldiers, medics, and military medical professionals, Bob’s life was saved. Within a few days, he was brought to the Naval Hospital at Bethesda, Maryland.

There, Bob spent 36 days in a medically-induced coma, and Lee was introduced to the families of service members dealing with the impact of hidden injuries such as Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS) and depression.

The experience inspired their family to do one thing: Ensure that our nation’s impacted veterans, service members, and their families have access to the highest level of support and resources they deserve, for as long as they need it. That wish became our mission. Today we complement the work of our government, ensuring that our veterans are thriving long after they return home.

For more on the Bob Woodruff Foundation: https://bobwoodrufffoundation.org/
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