ABC News Anchor Bob Woodruff to be Roasted for Spina Bifida

ABC News Anchor Bob Woodruff to be Roasted for Spina Bifida

19th Annual Fundraiser Salutes Life Journey for Journalist and Best-Selling Author

WASHINGTON, Aug. 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- ABC News anchor Bob Woodruff, nearly killed by a roadside bomb while reporting in Iraq, will be the guest of honor during the 19th Annual Roast for Spina Bifida on Monday, Oct. 29 in Washington, D.C.

A who's who of media and political leaders will gather to roast Woodruff and raise funds to further the fight against Spina Bifida, the most common, permanently disabling birth defect in the United States affecting more than 70,000 men, women, adolescents and children. At Washington's Omni Shoreham Hotel, media colleagues and legislators will rib Woodruff on his endeavors to date including his time as co-anchor of "World News Tonight." The distinguished leaders who will roast Woodruff will be announced in September.

A multi-lingual lawyer turned journalist, Woodruff's diverse and award- winning, global reporting to date includes Operation Iraqi Freedom, the death of Pope John Paul II, North Korea and Iran, Hurricane Katrina, the 2006 Palestinian elections and many others. In February, Woodruff and his wife, Lee, published an account of their lives after the injury titled, In an Instant: A Family's Journey of Love and Healing. A bio may be found at: http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/story?id=127761 .

"We're thrilled that Bob is lending his time to help show the importance of improving the quality of life for people with Spina Bifida and educating women on how to prevent it," said Cindy Brownstein, Spina Bifida Association's Chief Executive Officer.

Spina Bifida is a neural tube defect (NTD) that occurs in the first month of pregnancy when the spinal column fails to close completely. The Roast was founded in 1989 by Judy Woodruff (no relation) and Al Hunt, whose 25-year-old son, Jeffrey Hunt, was born with Spina Bifida.

Advance tickets may be purchased through the SBA office at 800-621-3141 or 202-944-3285 or via e-mail: Roast@sbaa.org. For more details, contact Mary Corcoran Knoll at (888) 837-8777.

Approximately 65 million women of childbearing age in the United States are potentially at risk for having a pregnancy affected by Spina Bifida, which may occur with no prior family history. Women of childbearing age can reduce their risk of having a child with Spina Bifida by taking 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid every day. The Hispanic community is the largest U.S. risk group.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Spina Bifida Association

CONTACT: Lorelei Harloe, +1-703-362-2774, lh@ascendcomm.com, for Spina
Bifida Association

Web site: http://www.spinabifidaassociation.org/
http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/story?id=127761

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