Conant grad recovering from terrible fall in South Korea

Dominic Marella has always been one of those people who if you put him in a room full of strangers and came back five minutes later, would suddenly have himself a room full of brand new friends.

And that's just the way the 23-year-old Conant High School graduate has been his whole life, according to his aunt, Jean Marella.

These days, though, the Roselle resident can use all the friends he can get as he recuperates in a hospital in Busan, South Korea, following a frightening three-story fall off a ramp and onto the cement surface below as he and some friends were waiting to get into a soccer arena.

Marella is in South Korea to fulfill a one-year agreement to teach English to young children there.

With his parents Howard and Maria by his side since the day they received the call in late August, Marella initially underwent surgeries for a collapsed lung and a fractured diaphragm, and recently underwent yet another procedure, this time to repair a fractured pelvis.

Because he was in such good physical shape from his days as a wrestler at both Conant (three-time state qualifier) and Northwestern University, where he graduated from in 2010, doctors in South Korea have been “extremely pleased with his progress,” according to Jean Marella.

His family is extremely grateful for the outpouring of love and good wishes they've received on various sites, including Facebook and at dominicmarella.org.

On Nov. 6, Dominic posted his thanks online, saying, “I can't believe all the love out there. Thank you all so much for the support and prayers. My friends and family have been absolutely amazing and I love you all. You are all incredible!”

“Dominic and his parents have been following all the notes of support he has been getting and are overwhelmed,” Jean Marella said. “They say they can't thank people enough.”

But the family still needs help to help pay for the cost of bringing Dominic back to the United States and the ensuing medical expenses he'll incur and extensive rehab he'll need once he returns.

Family and friends of Dominic will host a fundraiser from 6-11 p.m. Monday, Nov. 15, at Villaggio's Ristorante in Roselle, 1242 W. Lake St.

The event, which is $30 for adults and $10 for children, will feature a raffle, an auction and the music of “Train Company.'

In addition, donations to the “Benefit Fund for Dominic Marella” can be made through Harris Bank, 110 E. Irving Park Road in Roselle.