Dustin Cano & Make-A-Wish

A Bottle Of Wine Can Help Grant So Many Wishes

In the spring of 1980, U.S. Customs Agent Tommy Austin told Department of Public Safety Officer Ron Cox about a seven-year-old boy named Chris who was dying of leukemia. The little boy dreamt of being a police officer, so with help from the Arizona DPS, Tommy and Ron made it happen. A DPS helicopter picked Chris up at his hospital and flew him to the headquarters for a tour. At the day’s end, Lt. Col. Dick Schaefer gave Chris a “Smokey Bear” hat and one of his own badges, making Chris Arizona’s first and only honorary DPS officer.

Tommy and Ron’s selfless act of kindness was the start of what would soon become Make-A-Wish. Like these officers, Dustin Cano is giving hope, strength and joy to children with life-threatening medical conditions. Dustin is once again chairing “Wine & Wishes” to help San Diego area children with critical illnesses receive their life-changing wishes.

10 Things About Dustin Cano & Make-A-Wish

#1 I grew up in San Marcos with 1 brother, 3 step sisters, and 3 step brothers.

#2 While in high school, I got my first job as a bus boy at Bruno’s Italian Restaurant.

#3 My favorite movie is anything by Pixar – I love watching them with my daughter.

#4 I am a Dog Person.

#5 The best advice I have been given is “Build relationships first, do business second”.

#6 When I got involved with Make-A-Wish, that’s when my love for philanthropy really started. I saw passion in the MAW San Diego team and a goal of helping every child in San Diego really struck me.

#7 I joined Meritage Wine Market & Tasting Room as GM, then VP and last year, I purchased it. We are an all-encompassing retail store with weekly tastings, educational classes, seminars, consulting and concierge service. Meritage has been partnering with Make-A-Wish since 2003 and has raised over $2 million for them.

#8 Nothing educates and expands the palate better than tasting lots of wine! We have weekly, themed wine tastings from 6 to 8 pm on Fridays. We also have special tastings for Make-A-Wish. The store is a great way for me to introduce people to the Make-A-Wish concept.

#9 There are too many kids needing our help and the wishes are costing more and more money. Studies have shown how the wishes give kids a better chance of survival. So, we try to get the children their wishes sooner vs. later to help them get back up and towards healing.