Cancer patient wins free pizza, donates it

Sunday, December 25, 2016
NORTHAMPTON, PA (KTRK) -- At Christmastime, Mario's Pizza in Pennsylvania seems extra warm, a lot like the smiles, passed for decades from the people behind the counter, to the customers in front of it.

Co-owner Giovanni Aiello tells WFMZ, that's the recipe.
[Ads /]
"I've been making pizza for 43 years," he says.

Frank Grigoli is a manager and his father is Giovanni's brother, another co-owner.

RELATED: Peyton Manning surprises Pasadena teacher battling cancer


"We've done a lot to this place, but one thing we've never changed is the quality," Frank says.

That's why, recently, they decided they'd reward their customers with something new: a contest for free pizza for a year.



Giuseppe Aiello, Giovanni's son, tells us they never expected what came next.

"I thought someone would win, they'd be excited, come in and get their pizzas, but a story like this to come out of a contest like that..." he trails off.

You see, when the computer randomly chose a winner from the 1200 people who signed up, up popped the name 'Josh Katrick', someone who really deserved to get some good news.
[Ads /]
Josh was diagnosed with colon cancer in July. He got the email from Mario's on a Friday, just as he was leaving the chemo treatment center.

"I remember coming out of there thinking, 'I just won pizzas for a year! That's cool!' he says.

But then Josh - a winner Mario's found so deserving - did the darnedest thing.



He gave it away.

"I've been getting so much from family, friends, people I don't even know well, the last few months," Josh says.

Getting so much love and support...I just wanted to give back to people that could use it more than I could."

Josh wrote Mario's back and asked if he could give his free pizza to someone else.
[Ads /]
Frank remembers the conversation. "We asked the question, 'who are you thinking?' and he said, 'Northampton Food Bank.' And it kind of, like, it hit a nerve...in the heart," Frank says.

So, a pizza shop known for spreading the warmth, decided this Christmas to spread it a little further.



They're giving both Josh and the food bank, free pizza for a year.

"It's better to give than receive, and especially during this time of year - Christmas - it's a great time to think about that and see examples of it around town," Giuseppe says.

"And this time of year, doing what we're doing, I can't think of anything better," Frank adds.

This Christmas, this group says they hope their story warms up your heart - and reminds others to practice kindness.

You never know when it might come full circle.
Copyright © 2024 KTRK-TV. All Rights Reserved.