Rather than spend his vacation on a beach in the Caribbean, Julian Brelsford and his sister Christa chose to help the children of Haiti.
But soon they were the ones who needed help -- along with millions of others -- after the largest earthquake to strike Haiti in 200 years decimated the small nation.
The West Philadelphian received a few broken bones in his foot after the building he was in collapsed, but Christa fared much worse.
"Things are kinda serious. Christa's not doing so great. Call the medevac company right away if you can," he wrote in a letter to his parents.
Christa's leg was trapped under the rubble for almost two hours -- leaving it badly damaged.
Luckily, the two were able be seen by a relief doctor, who immediately put them on an emergency plane for a Miami hospital.
Once there, doctors were able to save the 25-year-old's life. They were forced to amputate her foot, but she's just "thankful" to be alive.
As for Julian, his co-workers at Philadelphia Yearly Meeting say they're glad to hear he's okay, but aren't surprised he made it out in such great shape.
"He's a creative, innovative, um, scrappy kinda guy and he could find his way out of many difficult situations," Julian's boss Arthur Larrabee said.
While Julian was able to make it back to the States, Christine Gianacaci is still missing.
The college student from Hopewell, N.J. was one of 12 students who visiting the country on a humanitarian trip.
"We're anxiously awaiting word here," the woman's grandfather James Hall said Thursday. "That's the hardest part of this – waiting."
Officials from Gianacaci's school -- Lynne University in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. -- say every other student is accounted for except her.
If you have missing loved ones in Haiti, check the Family Links section of the International Red Cross. They will be updating the site with names as people are identified.
