AS a teenager playing for York City, Ben Rhodes remembers telling his physiotherapist he wasn't feeling well.

The 17-year-old had been feeling exhausted and run down for a while, and a test revealed his blood sugar was worryingly high. By the next day the midfielder had been diagnosed with diabetes and prescribed insulin.

For a while life went on as normal, but four years later, soon after being released by his football club, Ben was diagnosed with an unrelated and life threatening kidney disorder, IgA Nephropathy, and was told his kidney function was just 40 per cent.

"It was really difficult," Ben said, "The doctors said it would be three or four years before my kidneys failed altogether."

Their prediction proved optimistic as Ben's kidneys had almost completely failed within six months. He was put in the donor register for a kidney and pancreas transplant, as a result of his kidney problems and diabetes.

"One night, in the middle of the night I got a phone call from Manchester Royal Infirmary telling me I needed to get there as soon as possible," Ben said, "The transplant happened on the morning of May 8, 2007."

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At the time Ben (pictured above), from Acomb, didn't realise how serious his condition was and how risky the painstaking ten hour operation would be.

"At the time I had just got married to my wife Caroline and we didn't have children," he said. "It wasn't until a couple of months after I realised how ill I had been.

"My eyes used to go yellow and after the transplant my wife told me my skin colour went back to normal."

The operation was a success but Ben had to spend a demoralising three months in hospital, as his body began to reject the kidney. An immunosuppressive treatment called anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) was a success and by August Ben was allowed to return home.

Having been given a new lease of life, Ben said he could never take his health for granted again.

He got back into sports, running the Great North Run, and more recently getting involved in crossfit, which encompasses both cardiovascular and strength training.

He then began looking into the British Transplant Games, which sees inspirational athletes compete at annual events across Britain.

"My wife told me about the Transplant Games and said I should do it," Ben said, "To begin with I wasn't that interested but when I looked into it, it looked good.

"I wanted the chance to feel fit and healthy. I thought that if anything happens and I get ill again, I will regret not doing it."

The value of good health was also brought home when his son William was diagnosed with the extremely rare Diamond Blackfan Anaemia.

The couple had hoped a cure may be found if they could have genetic screening and IVF to have a tissue-matched baby to allow William a bone marrow transplant. Two attempts have been unsuccessful - and William continues to take medication and has monthly blood transfusions - but currently seems very healthy and happy.

Ben's first appearance - which saw him win gold in the long jump and silver in 100m and javelin at the Liverpool games - was such a success he has been asked to represent Great Britain in the World Transplant Games in Spain next year. "It was emotional," Ben said, "Everyone there has gone through the same thing."

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The dad-of-two said he is also taking part in the games and speaking about his experience to show the importance of signing up to the organ donor register.

Over the last year 57 people in North Yorkshire received a deceased donor transplant but as of March this year there were 95 people in urgent need of a lifesaving transplant.

Ben believes England should adopt the same 'opt out' approach to organ donation as has been introduced in Wales. Currently people in England have to sign up to the donor register.

Jayne Fisher, NHS Blood and Transplant Team Manager,Yorkshire Organ Donation Services Team, said: "We are really grateful to Ben for his help in raising awareness of organ donation and to encourage more people to join the NHS Organ Donor Register. Organ donation saves and transforms lives and it's fantastic to hear Ben will be competing in the World Transplant Games next year.

"Sadly in the UK there is, however, a shortage of organ donors and every day three people die in need of a transplant. We need more people sign up to the NHS Organ Donor Register and make sure their family know about their decision."

Now 33, Ben, an electrician at the University of York, is beginning to look for athletics coaches to prepare for next year's games in Malaga.

"You try to prove a point to yourself more than anything," he said, "If someone says you can't do something you want to do it more. When I was ill I would struggle to go to work and when you have a transplant you feel great and feel you want to make the most of everything. Unless you've been through something like this it's difficult to understand how important it is to have your health."

-To join the organ donor register visit www.organdonation.nhs.uk or call 0300 123 23 23.