Have You Met Sandy Yozipovic?
A survivor who has beaten the odds three times, Sandy Yozipovic has a motto, “Never, ever, EVER give up!!” At age eight Sandy suffered from Lyme disease, at age 21 she spent a year paralyzed from the face down from Guillain-Barre syndrome, and last decade she successfully fought stage 3-4 colon cancer.“I believe I wouldn’t be here if I hadn’t taken my healthcare into my own hands. I needed to find the right tools to fight the disease and to stack all the odds in my favor.”
Sandy is co-founder and President of Fullness of Life Foundation –a nonprofit that provides public information, education and awareness regarding the use of advanced, integrative medicine in the prevention and treatment of cancer and other chronic diseases. Their “Give Them Wings” program helps with the financial barriers that families face by sponsoring the treatment for children with life-threatening cancer or other disease.
She explains, “Almost 70% of people facing cancer are looking online for other options. And most people just do traditional treatments, since that seems to be our only option. For most people the only choices seem to be chemo and radiation, but other countries have been advancing with stem cell research and nutrition education for many years, and we can learn much from them. Through Fullness of Life it is exciting to see more lives being saved!”
Yozipovic and her husband Mark have been in the financial services industry and now have 27 agencies across North America. Originally from Canada, they have been in Scottsdale since 1997. “I must say, the beautiful weather we have here in Arizona is definitely what I like best!” They are parents of a son and daughter.
Sandy is also actively involved with Women World Changers. This organization supports ministries of specific projects involving the physical, emotional, and spiritual lives of women and children. Their first project was a human trafficking safe home in India, and they have also completed three orphanages. “Our goal is to enlist 1000 women who will pledge 1000 dollars a year to support our outreach.”
An organized and focused businesswoman, Sandy Yozipovic has also served as Co-Chairman with the Primerica Partnership Program for four years and co-chaired the fundraising efforts partnered with Primerica for CASA ( the Center For Alcohol & Substance Abuse) for 3 years, helping raise over one million dollars.
Passionate about her humanitarian causes, Sandy Yozipovic emphasizes, “My faith and my family provide the gratitude and strength I need to reach out to others!”
What are your local volunteer activities? Women World Changers Ministry--Dining with a purpose fundraisers; Fullness of Life Foundation
Who inspired you to give back to your community? Dr. Dino Prato at the Envita Medical Center
Which fundraising event is your favorite? Benefit Concerts/Music for the Fullness of Life Foundation
Favorite restaurant? Casa Mia
Whom do you most admire, and why? The children who are sick--they are so inspiring and precious!
If your life were a movie, who would you want to play your part? Sandra Bullock
Do you have any pets? Two- a retriever Reno, and a Maltese, Angel.
Favorite TV show? The Voice
When you move, what will your home tell its next owner about you? All about family!
What’s the best lesson you’ve learned through the years? It’s always ‘mind over matter’ no matter what life throws at you! Attitude is everything!
What was your first job? Dishwasher at a steak house, when I was 13 years old.
What is your greatest indulgence? Giving back to others!
What do you consider to be your greatest achievement? In regards to my health, I have three--beating SBS, Lyme disease and stage 3-4 colon cancer!!
What is your most treasured possession? My faith.
What is the quality you most like in people? Their smiles.
Favorite books/writers? Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time? Hiking and yoga.
What would we be most surprised to know about you? I’m normally quite shy.
What is the best advice you have ever received? Never, ever, ever give up!
What are some challenges facing nonprofits? Creating awareness to create supporters.