Today we’d like to introduce you to Sana Moezzi.
So, before we jump into specific questions about your work, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
People always say to keep your friends close, and your enemies closer. Your worst enemy could be your best friend, and your best friend could be your worst enemy. To me, chemotherapy was both my best friend and worst enemy. This beautiful poison was designed to strip away the person I once was, and sculpt me into the person I have grown to truly be. That is a survivor: an individual who looks beyond the battle of such an excruciating fight and carries inspiration around the world.
In November 2016, I was juggling three advanced placement classes, running two service clubs on campus, playing violin with the San Diego Civic Youth Orchestra, and working at Blaze Pizza five days a week. Instantly, all of that had stopped. After coming home from work one day, my mother noticed a huge bump on my right shoulder. PET/CT scans and a biopsy later, I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma cancer. Not only did I go through cycles of chemotherapy and radiation, but I missed five months of my senior year. On top of that, I was struggling to meet the deadline for college applications without having the ability to even stand on my own two feet.
With no hopes as to what the future may hold, the toxicity persisted. I persevered, regardless of the pain that had crescendoed into a force impacting my daily life. In addition to such unendurable moments, I too was working hard to graduate on time like every other normal senior in my class. I had fears of not graduating with all my friends, that this disease called cancer would destroy my happiness like it destroyed my body cells. I had doubts cancer would allow me to earn my diploma or attend the school of my dreams. Finally, through perseverance and diligence, I walked on stage with the rest of my classmates and claimed my diploma. I made it.
As cancer infiltrated my life, I changed as a person and transformed my illness into a lifetime blessing. I grew as a person by voicing positivity and noticed myself reframing all the excruciating experiences into moments of gratitude. I learned to let my smiles change the world and to seek positivity even during the times in which it may be more difficult to find. Amidst all the pain, I found myself smiling and appreciating the fact that I am living to see another day. Although such unfortunate news had made me question my own personal happiness, this journey ignited a spark in my heart and continues to shine positivity to all those around me to this day. Inspired by such light, I was determined to help those enduring similar circumstances.
Throughout my life, I have had a strong passion and love for giving back to the Carlsbad community and the people around me. From organizations such as the American Red Cross of San Diego to founding Project F.E.E.D., I devoted my time to bettering the lives of those overcoming adversity. Fulfilling a mission committed to saving lives and celebrating life, I currently serve as the survivorship chair for USD’s Relay for Life through the American Cancer Society. We remember loved ones lost, honor survivors of all cancers, and raise money to help the ACS make a global impact on cancer. Such a platform has given me the opportunity to empower, inspire, and educate others.
During my treatment, I had heard about the Make-A-Wish Foundation as an organization giving back to children and bringing joy in their life, and I never thought that I would one day be that wish kid and have my life changed forever. Barely six weeks after my lymphatic cancer was declared in remission, Make-A-Wish granted my wish to go to the 2017 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival. To create happiness in the hearts of others, especially when battling an illness, is the best way to fulfill the lives of others; hence, I wanted to pay that gift forward.
Since having my wish granted in spring 2017, I quickly became involved. Becoming a wish kid ambassador, I serve as a spokesperson for the San Diego chapter. I share my story and wish impact amongst thousands of people in order to help raise awareness and garner community support for such an inspiring mission. In addition to serving as a Wish It Forward program ambassador, I lead the Kids for Wish Kids’ fundraising program at my school—all to help grant more life-affirming wishes for kids battling critical illnesses like myself. As founder and president, I invite and strongly encourage students to volunteer for various wishes, in which we have helped raise over 3,000 dollars in little over that year. Through joy and enthusiasm, this powerful cause has made me cognizant of the major impact this club is capable of in the future.
I strongly believe there is often an intrinsic connection between wish kids and wish granters who experienced the power of a wish themselves. As soon as I turned 18, I became an official wish granter and teamed with one of my former wish granters to grant my first wish. In February 2018, I granted my first wish for five-year-old leukemia patient Leona, who wished for a life-sized pirate ship in her backyard. To see this little girl smile so big for the first time in months was one of the most emotional and happiest moments of my life. Knowing firsthand what the power of a wish can accomplish for others gives me an endless amount of joy for children facing critical illnesses. With so much of their normalcy taken away, a wish offers something to look forward to, replaces fear with confidence, sadness with joy, and anxiety with hope. Granting my first wish has inspired me to take on many more wishes this year, and has granted my very own personal wish for the future- to see these angels smile.
Prior to my diagnosis, I had been incessantly practicing the violin in hopes of submitting my work to music conservatories. From Tchaikovsky’s infamous Nutcracker piece to performing with the San Diego Symphony, I learned that cultivating my passion for violin had not only led to an outlet for inspiration but taught me the rewards of dedicated practice. These life lessons had culminated in a truly meaningful talent in hopes of one day becoming the concertmaster of a prestigious philharmonic orchestra. In the blink of an eye, all hard work had turned into dust, and I had to give up my dream to fight life’s toughest battle. When attempting to pick up and play the violin again, not only had my fingers forgotten what it was like to change notes on the strings, but my body experienced instant fatigue. This point in time had led to my reconsideration in the dream I originally wanted to pursue.
As my love for giving back grew stronger, I learned how strong of an impact I can make through the ever-changing, and challenging, a world of nonprofit organizations like Make-A-Wish; thus, I discovered my new dream. I want to expand this aspiration of mine by pursuing a career rooted in bringing hope, strength, and joy to communities through services that greatly contribute to the world around us. Based on my overall work ethic and passion for positively transforming the lives of others, I will continue working hard in academics as well as planning to establish a career in hopes of one day becoming the CEO of Make-A-Wish. Beating such a powerful illness, I am convinced my dreams will one day be a reality.
What’s the most important piece of advice you could give to a young woman just starting her career?
Please know that no beauty shines brighter than that of a happy heart. Do your absolute best to constantly find the positives in even the biggest of your worries. Learn to let your smiles change the world, and to seek positivity even during the times in which it may be more difficult to find.
Hair is a unique part of our identity, and a way to express ourselves- from long, curly, short, to golden blonde, mousy, and much more. I hope I can take such an experience, and assure other those who may lose confidence when they notice a change in their physical appearance to focus on one’s inner beauty, the way we treat others and allow our kindness to shine through. You have no idea what the future has to hold, so the best you can do is to let go of all your worries. Please, do not let your worries underestimate your strength. I can promise you everything happens for a reason.
Take advantage of each new day. I ask that you continue to remind yourself and others to smile and stay positive through any difficult time because every day is truly a gift you have to open up and live up for.
What should we know about your business? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Recently, I was awarded as Nation’s Outstanding Youth Philanthropist of the year. This award recognizes service by an individual who demonstrates outstanding commitment to the community (specifically through my Make-A-Wish and Red Cross efforts) through direct financial support, development of charitable programs, volunteering and leadership in philanthropy. A cancer survivor deeply committed to fulfilling the lives from children to young adults battling critical illnesses, this recognition allows me to continue empowering other patients and prove to them that they can do anything their hearts dream of, despite any obstacles in life. I hope to continue spreading happiness in the lives of others and to lift others through the gift of giving.
I strongly believe that the quality of contributions made toward nonprofit organizations, my unique cancer story, and what I take on overall as a 19-year-old sets me apart from others.
At the beginning of my junior year of high school, I founded Project Food Empowerment Effort and Development (FEED). Of the many ideas brainstormed, the two most popular ones were donating canned food and making cards, as a show of appreciation for the homeless mothers on Mother’s Day. We attracted over 70 students to our first meeting and completed 256 cards in one session. As president, I want to make a difference through my experience as a leader to the world around me- one step at a time. Serving hundreds to live to see another day, Project FEED has increased my potential to take action in the community. Today, Project FEED still stands and is continuing to give back to the homeless community.
As the Red Cross President since senior year to this day, I have devoted my time to productively plan and prioritize the activities for this year’s Red Cross Club. By working with officers execute strategies and lead the operations/activities within the committees, volunteers, and external donors. I coalesce a set of programs encompassing CPR training, disaster-preparedness presentations, and community service events in relation to disaster relief. Today, I continue to expand existing programs and spark new opportunities, while retaining to constituent Red Cross ideals.
In addition to this, I founded Make-A-Wish USD last year as a freshman at my university. In less than a year, we have raised over 3,000 dollars with over 150 members, and are recognized for being one of the biggest new emerging clubs on campus. I continue to apply successful annual fundraising plans that include innovative strategies and goals for acquiring, renewing, and upgrading support from both individual and institutional supporters.
I recently started serving as an ambassador with b-present, a nonprofit that improves the experience of young adults (18-25) with cancer through programs and digital campaigns that promote connection and support. I serve as lead community spokesperson in sharing cancer story amongst thousands of people in order to raise awareness and garner community support through both missions.
An honor-roll student, president of two of the biggest clubs on campus, and a violinist for over seven years, I had given up everything. I, as a senior in high school, had sacrificed everything- to win. To survive. Not, however, to prove to people I can and will survive- but to inspire them. Inspiring others and winning, is true, survivorship. Inspiring others that having a positive outlook on the future, regardless of what it holds, is what a survivor is.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sandiego.wish.org
- Phone: (760) 672-8167
- Email: sanamoezzi@gmail.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/sprinnkles
- Other: www.linkedin.com/in/sanamoezzi
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