December 2019: Diane Caruso and Christine Farling
December 2019 Honorees
Diane Caruso and Christine Farling
Co-Chairs of the Festival of Trees benefiting Arizona Burn Foundation
Why do you support the Arizona Burn Foundation?
DIANE: I am a longtime burn nurse whose passion has been the support of the burn survivor. I’ve been active with the Arizona Burn Foundation since 2001, and their work has always held a special place in my heart.
CHRISTINE: As a paralegal with the Cunningham Law Firm for the past 30 years, I’ve been privileged to work with numerous burn survivors. I support the Arizona Burn Foundation because they help turn burn victims into burn survivors.
Describe this year’s event.
DIANE: The spirit of Christmas will be in full force during our gala. From the 10 professionally decorated Christmas trees, to the strolling Dickens carolers, to the life-sized nutcrackers, to the cinnamon roll cookies our guests will receive when they leave, it will be a fabulous start to the holiday season. We’re also excited to bring back live music and dancing to the celebration.
Why do you feel so strongly about this organization?
DIANE: Many reasons. My late first husband was a child burn survivor in the late 1950s. Today, children in Arizona have so many more resources available to them, thanks in great part to the Arizona Burn Foundation. I began my nursing career at the Arizona Burn Center, and continued there for many years as a nurse and nurse practitioner. It was hands down the most fulfilling nursing job in my career. And finally, my husband, Dr. Daniel Caruso, was instrumental in the growth and development of the Foundation over 20 years, and since his death in 2017 I am honored to keep his passion for this organization alive in any small way I can.
CHRISTINE: My firm represents individuals and families who have been seriously injured or killed due to fire, propane/natural gas explosions, products causing automotive and/or home fires as well as electrical, scald and chemical-related burns. Many of these burn injuries are preventable and the Arizona Burn Foundation provides excellent burn prevention programs in an effort to protect individuals from suffering these devastating injuries.
Secret talent:
CHRISTINE: I am an excellent bowler and even made the Amateur Bowling Tour when I was 20.
Proudest accomplishment:
DIANE: As cliché as it sounds, my proudest accomplishment has been raising four outstanding children — Lindy, Zack, Anna and Joey — and being blessed to take part as they raise my extraordinary grandsons Deegan, Beckett, Georgie, Navy and Dax.
Fun fact about you:
DIANE: For eight years as a teenager, I water-skied with the Chain O’Lakes Ski Club in Wisconsin where we performed local and traveling ski shows throughout the summers. And yes, I climbed the pyramid!
CHRISTINE: I was a contestant on “Wheel of Fortune” back in the day when Vanna turned the letters.
Thank you to our December 2019 Cheers to the Chairs Runners-Up:
- Bathsheba Adams & Cyndy Joseph
Christmas Benefit and Gala 2019 Co-Chairs benefiting Eyes Like Mine
- Wendy Dewane and Jill Hegardt
54thDesert Ball Chairman and Co-Chairman benefiting Desert Foundation Auxiliary
To learn more about Arizona Burn Foundation, go to azburn.org.
To nominate your Board Chair or Event Chair(s) to be featured in Cheers to the Chairs!, please click here!
