Mark Iacono, the owner of the renowned Brooklyn pizzeria Lucali, has built a reputation for serving some of the best pizza in the area, attracting a variety of celebrities such as Ed Sheeran, David Beckham, Jimmy Fallon, and Paul McCartney.
Among the regulars at Lucali is Theo Alano, who became gravely ill with COVID-19 in 2022. Unfortunately, Theo’s health declined further last year when he was diagnosed with kidney failure and told he was nearing the end of his life.
The community surrounding Lucali and its dedicated patrons have been deeply affected by Theo’s condition, as he continues to battle this serious illness.
Theo Alano’s health crisis reached a critical point when, after being rushed to the emergency room, a nurse informed one of his friends that he only had an hour to live, according to The New York Post. Thanks to the immediate intervention of dialysis, Theo survived. However, to stay alive, he had to endure three four-hour dialysis sessions each week.
The hope for Theo’s long-term survival depended on receiving a kidney from a generous donor. However, with a daunting 10-year wait on the New York State Donate Life Registry, finding a match seemed nearly impossible. Determined to find a donor, Theo turned to Instagram, posting a heartfelt plea for help.
It was through this post that Mark Iacono, the owner of Lucali, stumbled upon Theo’s story. Mark shared the plea with his 246,000 Instagram followers, hoping to amplify Theo’s message.
One of those followers, Rusty Rastello, a longtime fan of Lucali, was deeply moved by Theo’s plight. Rusty’s personal connection to kidney donation—his uncle, whom he considered a father figure, had donated a kidney to Rusty’s brother 32 years earlier—resonated with him. Compelled to act, Rusty immediately began exploring the possibility of becoming a donor.
In December 2023, Rusty and Theo met for the first time, and despite being strangers, they instantly connected. Theo later reflected on their bond, saying, “It was as if I had known him for years.” Rusty underwent a series of tests to determine if he was a match, and in a remarkable stroke of luck, he was.
The life-changing news was confirmed in May 2024, and by August, both men were undergoing surgery. Rusty’s operation took three hours, while Theo’s more complex procedure lasted six. Rusty recalled the emotional moment he learned that his kidney had successfully taken to Theo. “I just started crying. I still don’t even know what that emotion was – it was somewhere between relief and excitement,” he said. Seeing Theo’s rapid recovery brought overwhelming gratitude and joy to both men.
Within days, they were discharged from the hospital, both healing well. Today, Theo and Rusty are close friends, their bond cemented through an extraordinary act of generosity, all sparked by Lucali owner Mark Iacono’s decision to share Theo’s plea.