AN EYE specialist who struck silver at the British Transplant Games has urged more black and Asian people to join the organ donor register.

Mohamed Kasmani, who runs Feltham Eyecare Centre, was runner-up in the 30-39 age group of the badminton men's doubles at the tournament held last weekend (August 15-18) in Sheffield.

Just over a year ago, the 36-year-old's kidneys were working at a fifth of their full capacity and he could barely walk 20 metres without getting short of breath.

But a kidney transplant in May last year transformed life for the father-of-two, who lives in Pennine Way, Harlington.

"When I look back to how I was before the operation, it's amazing to think just over a year later I was even able to compete, let alone win a medal," he said.

Mr Kasmani's new kidney was donated by his wife Fermin, who works alongside him, but many are not so lucky.

He has met people waiting nine years for a kidney, who must spend their evenings hooked up to a dialysis machine.

Black and Asian people are more likely to suffer from kidney failure, and they make up about 30 per cent of transplant patients.

But a shortage of registered organ donors from those backgrounds mean they wait more than four years on average for a transplant, twice as long as white people.

"I think there's little awareness in those communities about organ donation and we need to change that," said Mr Kasmani.

"Some people think their religion doesn't allow it but all the major faiths in the UK support the principles of organ donation and transplants."

The optometrist was one of 670 competitors, all of whom have had a major organ transplant, taking part in last weekend's Games.

He was competing in the Hammersmith Hospital Team because that is where he goes for his regular check-ups.

To join the NHS Organ Donor Register, visit http://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/