ABC News journalists and writers Bob and Lee Woodruff, keynote speakers for the Queen of Hearts Women’s Fund Membership Luncheon, joked that they always bring blue skies and sun when they travel. However, as the 260 attendees at the Resort at Squaw Creek event learned Wednesday the couple has also dealt with their fair share of life’s ominous storm clouds.

Bob Woodruff is a former ABC World News Tonight co-anchor and current foreign correspondent Bob Woodruff and his wife, Lee Woodruff, is a contributing editor for ABC’s "Good Morning America” and a prolific freelance writer. Four years ago the couple’s life was changed forever when an improvised explosive device detonated near the armored vehicle in which Bob was traveling in Iraq.

“I was completely knocked down and I was out for a minute,” Bob said. “I do remember at that moment I saw my body floating below me. I woke up and saw Doug Vogt, my cameraman, sitting across from me. There was a lot of blood and I looked at Doug and asked ‘are we alive?’ and he said ‘yes we are alive.’”

The television anchor, who was at the top of his profession, suffered a traumatic brain injury and nearly lost his life in the incident.

While visiting Disney World with the couple’s young children, Lee got a call from David Westin, president of ABC News.

“I thought this is not good,” Lee recalled. “He said ‘we’ve been trying to reach you, Bob has been wounded in Iraq.’”

Sitting on the Resort at Squaw Creek stage four years later, the couple candidly discussed the arduous journey to recovery with humor and gratitude for the family members, friends and military personal.

An important part of the couple’s therapy was writing a book together.  “In an Instant: A Family’s Journey of Love, Courage, and Healing,” documents their family’s journey to recovery following Bob’s roadside bomb injury. Lee Woodruff’s book, “Perfectly Imperfect: A Life in Progress,” tackles the universal topics of life.

Much of the couple’s message Wednesday focused on the resiliency of the human spirit, the body’s amazing ability to heal and the importance of community philanthropy.

“Communities working together for the greater good, that’s the only way we will survive,” Lee told the audience. She also complimented the Queen of Hearts Women’s Fund membership for their “amazing support” for the Tahoe-Truckee community.

Lisa Dobey, chief executive officer of the Truckee Tahoe Community Foundation and the Queen of Hearts, said the Woodruffs’ message of resiliency, tenacity and support was inspiring and relevant.

"Bob and Lee's story reminds us of the power of community -- people who are there when you need them, and that is also the message of Truckee Tahoe Community Foundation,” Dobey said.  “Strong communities require that we help each other and through that helping, gain an understanding about each other and a sense of human compassion."
 
Bob Woodruff is back at work reporting for ABC News shows on a variety of international and national stories with his “Bob Woodruff Reports” unit. He has continued to cover stories that focus attention on the needs of veterans from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

The Woodruff family also established the Bob Woodruff Family Fund for Traumatic Brain Injury and Remind.org to raise money for members of the military who need cognitive rehabilitation and care following traumatic brain injuries while serving their country.

The Truckee Tahoe Community Foundation Queen of Hearts Women's Fund launched in February 2006. The goal was to identify 1,000 women to give a minimum of $1,000 and raise $1 million dollars within one year.  The group exceeded this goal and has raised $1.3 million to date. Queen of Hearts Women's Fund is broad based in its funding interests making grants in non-profit organizations ranging from arts, culture and public benefit to health and human services.

For more information on the Queen of Hearts Women’s Fund, please call the Truckee Tahoe Community Foundation at 530.587.1776.