Updated September 16, 2015.

As an embedded journalist with an Army infantry unit in Iraq, Bob Woodruff knew the dangers of the job. On January 29, 2006, the vehicle that Woodruff and his cameraman were traveling in was attacked by an improvised explosive device (IED). Despite the use of protective body armor and a Kevlar helmet, Woodruff sustained severe shrapnel wounds to the head, nearly killing him. The traumatic brain injury left Woodruff in a medically-induced coma for 36 days.

Part of his skull had to be removed, as pieces of debris and shrapnel had deeply penetrated his head and upper body. Woodruff required numerous surgeries to remove the debris, reduce the intracranial pressure, and to also reconstruct his facial structure.

Miraculously, Woodruff survived the IED attack, though many expected the worst. It was a long physical recovery, and the the effects of having a traumatic brain injury are still evident. He has often mentioned that he still suffers from mild aphasia, a language disorder that causes one to have difficulty finding the words they wish to say.

Since recovering from his injury, Woodruff has been a tireless advocate of traumatic brain injury and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in combat veterans. His organization, ReMIND, serves injured veterans and their families by providing services to help with their recovery and daily living beyond treatment. It aims to raise awareness about the injuries of war that are not visible -- TBI and PTSD -- but that continue to affect soldiers long after they have left the hospital and combat zone.