7NEWS Spotlight: Thanks For The Memories
NRL legend Mario Fenech reveals devastating dementia diagnosis in exclusive report this Sunday
It’s crunch time in footy finals, but for rugby league legend Mario Fenech, that time of his life is not even a distant memory – he has little memory of it at all.
In a major 7NEWS Spotlight exclusive, the former Rabbitohs captain opens up to reporter Michael Usher about his devastating diagnosis, 7.00pm* Sunday on Channel 7 and 7plus.
Mario reveals he has early onset dementia, a disease he believes was caused by the numerous concussions and head knocks he suffered during his stellar NRL career.
The 60-year-old’s irreversible condition has now deteriorated to the point where he has virtually no memory left, and it won’t be long before he needs full-time care.
In a confronting interview, Mario is joined by his wife Rebecca, who for the first time speaks out about the diagnosis she calls the “silent, lonely killer”, describing how she and their children, Bonnie and Joe, are coping with the loss of the old Mario.
Also supporting Mario is his best friend of more than 30 years, former world champion boxer Jeff Fenech. Heartbroken by Mario’s decline, in a cruel twist Jeff faces his own battle with concussion trauma following years of punishing blows in the ring.
Neurologist Dr Rowena Mobbs, who leads the team of doctors caring for Jeff and Mario’s brain health, reveals how she is working on ways to safeguard future players from the damaging impact of contact sport.
The Fenech family hopes that by going public for the first time with their alarming revelations, they too can help protect future generations of sports-loving families from the long-term repercussions of head injuries.
Don’t miss this powerful report – 7.00pm* Sunday on Channel 7 and 7plus.
7NEWS Spotlight 7.00pm* Sunday on Channel 7 and 7plus
Sydney, Brisbane
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