We know what it's like to face cancer - We're survivors, entrepreneurs, and music fanatics who refuse to let cancer win. Our foundation was built on the personal experience of facing this disease.
Mark Rooney
Mark Rooney has never accepted defeat. A former professional footballer with Watford, Barnet, Wimbledon and others, he carried that determination into building a thriving events and hospitality business and co‑founding a UK music festival.
In 2018, weeks after celebrating his 40th birthday and his son's first, Mark was diagnosed with Stage IV kidney cancer and given five years to live. Seven years on, he continues to defy every prognosis. His mission now is clear: harness the power of music to fuel progress in the fight against cancer, raising serious funds so that people like him and their families benefit from the fight he refuses to lose.
Steve Bond
Steve Bond's journey has been shaped by resilience and survival. Raised in Belfast during the Troubles, he lost his loving mother to cancer. He left a successful retail career to follow his passion for music and pour it into building a hospitality group from the ground up.
In late 2022, Steve himself survived a sudden cardiac arrest, with unwavering support from his wife. Inspired by Mark's experience, he now channels every moment into meaningful work. Having lost multiple family members to cancer, Steve co‑founded Cancer Staged with Mark Rooney to turn grief into purpose, raising funds for treatment, research, and support.
Chris Russell-Fish
Chris Russell‑Fish brings over 25 years' leadership across music, media, and creative industries. He has held senior roles leading growth, strategy, and operations, building teams and championing integrity, energy, and "can‑do" approach.
At Cancer Staged, Chris brings vision, networks, and expertise to turn the power of live music into lasting impact.