Yo Addiction Brings Frosty Treats to Cancer Patients

By Elizabeth Alterman

Mountainside resident Lisa Petrillo, a breast cancer survivor, has made it her mission to help others battling the disease. 

After undergoing a double mastectomy, Petrillo was fortunate enough to avoid requiring chemotherapy. As she got her strength back, Petrillo became a volunteer for Pathways and began speaking in front of hundreds of doctors, interns and patients at area hospitals to provide insight into what patients need care-wise.

After visiting wards filled with patients receiving chemotherapy, Petrillo learned that a common complaint was the sour taste the treatment leaves in patients' mouths. It was then that she had an idea that could help bring a bit of comfort to patients, even for a short time. Petrillo turned to her boyfriend, Paul Marzarella, owner of Springfield's self-serve yogurt lounge, Yo Addiction, for help.

Since May, the couple has been delivering frozen yogurt sundaes to oncology patients and staff members at Overlook Hospital every second and fourth Thursday of the month. 

Marzarella said it was Petrillo's idea to "take something sour and turn it into something sweet" and added that the reaction from patients has been overwhelming.

"We bring three flavors: one sorbet for those who can't have dairy, one non-sugar flavor and cookies and cream for the chocolate fans," he explained. "We bring toppings and set up a table and they can make their own sundaes. People come up and ask 'how much?' and when we tell them it's on us, they're amazed."

Marzarella credits Petrillo with spearheading the entire undertaking, dubbed 'Yo Therapy.' 

"Lisa became a certified volunteer. She went through three months of training. She had to get shots because she's working with people who are very susceptible to infection. She's put a lot of work into this and she wants to help," he said.

Because he is not certified, Marzarella cannot go into the treatment room with Petrillo but he accompanies her to the hospital each time and is able to serve the staff outside and those patients awaiting treatment. 

Not only has Marzarella been there for Petrillo's cancer journey, but he also watched his father fight the disease. In addition to Yo Therapy, the shop, which Marzarella owns with his cousins, sponsors cancer walks and does what it can to raise awareness.

"This is much more than just donating," he said. "Anybody can give money. We're involved in the community. When you see the look on people's faces and you have insight into how they're feeling deep down about all they're going through, if you can take their minds off it even for 10 to 15 minutes, that's something."

Yo Addiction is also offering an in-store special—half price yogurt—to anyone going through treatment. The shop also gives a 10 percent discount to care providers who show their Overlook identification as a way to show its appreciation. 

Marzarella said initially he was reluctant to share his story because he didn't want it to seem as if he were promoting his business. But as he has seen the joy it has brought to 60 or more patients each visit, he would like to inspire others to join him and Petrillo in their mission.

"If we could, we would do this every week. We'd be at more hospitals and more clinics but we just don't have the volunteers. I wish I could be in 17 places at once, but I can't. I give Lisa all the credit. It takes a lot to become a certified volunteer and we need more people like her," he said. 

Packing up his frozen 'Yo to Go' and toppings for dozens of patients and spending time away from his store is nothing, he said, compared to what the patients are enduring.

"That 10 to 15 minutes of excitement makes it all worthwhile," he said.

For more information about Yo Addiction or Yo Therapy, visit the store, located at 100 Rt. 22 (middle island), call 973-232-6047 or visit the store's Facebook page.