SHOCK MS DIAGNOSIS FOR SAMPI

Eagles small forward Ashley Sampi has Multiple Sclerosis.

In a social media posting he said he had been diagnosed with the wasting disease on Tuesday last week, and apologised for not telling family and friends in person.

“It would’ve been too hard to let you all know what I am going through and what my path for the future holds for myself,” he wrote.

“And more importantly my lovely and beautiful wife Gerri and our kids.

“I ask you all to please try and not overwhelm us with calls or messages as we are still coming to terms with the diagnosis.”

Sampi started fundraising for MS research on Monday and aims to walk 100km this month.

Last night he had already raised more than $5,000 of his $6,000 goal using an online app for MS fundraising, and raised the target to $7,000 which he had almost met by 7am today.