Alaskan injured in Haiti starts nonprofit for rescuers

February 04, 2010|By Rebecca Palsha | Channel 2 News

Christa Brelsford was released from the hospital and returned to school in Arizona. (WSVN-Miami)

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — After surviving the devastating earthquake in Haiti, Anchorage resident Christa Brelsford is out of the hospital and back at school in Arizona.

And even though she's still recovering from the loss of part of her leg, Christa is taking big steps to help earthquake victims still struggling in Haiti.

Her family says Christa is happy to be out of the hospital, and now she's tackling a new challenge.

"I expect it to be a challenge. I'm used to running around on two feet," she told a TV station in Miami.

"But it's temporary and I'm really thankful to that," she said.

Though she's out of the hospital in Florida and back at school in Arizona, Christa's fight isn't over.

"I want to ask you to help join me in giving back to the people of Haiti. My family and friends and I have started a fund called Christa's Angels," she said.

She's raising money to help the people who helped saved her life.

"I'm not surprised, but I'm proud of her," said her mom, Terry Brelsford.

Back home in Alaska, Christa's parents talk about what these past few weeks have been like and what the future holds.

"What Christa and Ethan and Julian have cooked up is this non-profit organization called Christa's Angels," her dad Taylor explained.

The family wants to help the people of Haiti overcome the earthquake where thousands died.

Christa's life was saved, in part, because of two men.

"Our hope is to provide long-term support to rebuild the school that they were working at, the building, and to provide secure salaries for the teachers there. They work months without salaries until another grant comes through. So we think we can make a big difference in that way," Taylor Brelsford said.

Contact Rebecca Palsha at rpalsha@ktuu.com

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