New Hope for Marko: Help Needed to Adapt Home After Major Surgeries
A call for support from a Vinkovci elementary school for the Ilanić family, whose 17-year-old son is battling recovery after complex spinal procedures.
A call for support from a Vinkovci elementary school for the Ilanić family, whose 17-year-old son is battling recovery after complex spinal procedures.
The seven-member Ilanić family from Privlaka is facing a major challenge. Their son Marko (17) recently underwent two very demanding spinal surgeries. For the young man to safely return home and continue his recovery, it is essential to adapt the living space, which requires urgent financial support.
As reported by the portal Narodno.hr on August 2, 2026, Marko had his first surgery on March 25, 2026, which lasted 13 hours. The very next day, March 26, a second operation followed, lasting five hours. Recovery from such complex procedures takes months, and Marko is currently undergoing rehabilitation in Krapinske Toplice, where his father Martin is by his side.
Antun Gustav Matoš Elementary School in Vinkovci has issued an appeal for help. It highlights that the Ilanić family is facing a great trial. For Marko's safe stay at home, he needs his own adapted room and bathroom, but the costs of the work and equipment far exceed the family's means. Monika and Martin Ilanić are parents to five sons, two of whom have developmental disabilities. The family lives modestly, and father Martin is the sole breadwinner. With daily expenses, treatment, and rehabilitation, adapting the house has become nearly impossible.
Help is not limited to money alone. As Narodno.hr reports, the family would also welcome construction materials, equipment, and people who can contribute their skills and physical labor to help renovate the space before Marko's return. Any help, whether it's a donation, a few hours of work, or sharing the appeal, makes a huge difference for this family.
For those wishing to provide financial assistance, the payment details are as follows:
The appeal emphasizes that solidarity in such moments is not just words, but concrete actions. The goal is to enable Marko to return not just to a home, but to a space adapted to his recovery and dignified life after months of treatment.
