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Monday, 8 July, 2002, 16:35 GMT 17:35 UK
Fatal disease hits Cunningham
Cunningham was top Premiership points scorer in 2000
Former London Irish full-back Jarrod Cunningham has been diagnosed as
suffering from the fatal motor neurone disease.
The New Zealander underwent a series of tests at London's Charing Cross hospital recently after consulting a neurologist and other specialists. Cunningham, 33, first felt changes to his body early this year but the full extent of his illness only became clear last month.
Motor neurone disease is the name given to a group of related diseases affecting the motor neurones in the brain and spinal cord.
Degeneration of the motor neurones leads to weakness and wasting of muscles and is a steadily progressive disease for which there is no known cure. The revelation of Cunningham's condition has rocked the Exiles, who enjoyed their best-ever season last year, winning the Powergen Cup and qualifying for the Heineken Cup. Director of rugby Conor O'Shea said: "All of us who played and worked with Jarrod are shocked at the news. "That he competed in the Premiership with this illness less than 12 months ago shows what an outstanding rugby player he was. "From my personal point of view Jarrod is a valued friend and I will be doing all in my power to ensure he receives all the care and assistance he will require over the coming months."
A committee is being formed with help from the Motor Neurone Disease Association to provide Cunningham with physical and financial support, while the club are planning a number of fund-raising events of their own. Cunningham, a former New Zealand Maori representative and All Blacks triallist, played Super 12 rugby for 1996 champions Auckland Blues and the Wellington Hurricanes. He joined London Irish in 1998 and was the leading scorer in the Premiership in the 1999-2000 season, notching 324 points. Over his three-and-a-half seasons in London Cunningham played 82 games for the Exiles, scoring 18 tries and 848 points. But he only featured in 11 matches last season before being released from his contract.
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