Torquay United centre-back Chris Todd has announced that he has been diagnosed with leukaemia.
The 27-year-old Welshman was told the news after a blood test which followed an operation on a groin injury earlier this month.
The former Swansea and Exeter defender broke the news to his team-mates before Tuesday night's victory over Lewes.
"I am determined to beat this illness and to be playing for Torquay as soon as I can," Todd told BBC Radio Devon.
Todd joined Torquay from Exeter at the start of last season, soon after manager Paul Buckle made the same switch.
"This is my biggest battle," added Todd. "I've had some good battles on the pitch but this is going to be the biggest one.
"I've got the support of my family, who have been amazing, and also the club. It is a big setback but I will get through it."
Todd found about the illness after having groin surgery. A nurse told him that he had bled a lot after a needle was taken out of his arm and advised him to go for a blood test.
He went for the test on Monday morning, and was told that he had chronic myeloid leukaemia that evening.
He will find out next Monday the extent of the illness and whether or not he will need chemotherapy.
Todd was given the total backing of the club, with Buckle, chief executive Colin Lee, and captain Chris Hargreaves all by his side as he made his announcement.
"We will support Toddy all the way and hopefully it won't be too long before he is back in a yellow shirt for us," said Buckle.
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