MADISON, Wis. -- A Madison area pool could bring more than 1,600 children together for an annual event on Thursday. The All-City Swim Meet is a four-day competition, but it can also serve as an inspiration for some young people.

SLIDESHOW: View 2007 All City Swim Meet Images

Kellen Binger spends as much time in the pool as possible, WISC-TV reported.

"I like the water," the 9-year-old Fitchburg boy said.

His family said that he has liked the water, and he and his brother and sisters are part of a family who just feels comfortable on the waves.

However, unlike his family, swimming became something more for Kellen when it helped him recover from a recent transplant surgery.

"I had a kidney transplant last year; and my dad donated a kidney," the boy said. "(It) got me healthier."

Kellen's father Tim said that they knew a transplant was a possibility for his son. The boys suffers from cystinosis, a rare genetic disorder.

"We knew it was going to happen at some point in time," said Tim Binger. "He just kind of slid downhill faster than we thought it would."

Tim Binger said that when Kellen's kidneys failed last year, he became his donor.

"He had two parents willing to give him a kidney and it will enable him to live a healthy life for quite awhile," he said.

After the surgery, Kellen's family said that they could see he was eager to get back into the pool.

"Three or four weeks after surgery, he was getting bored, you know?" Tim said.

His family said he was competing again shortly after his recovery, and now one year later, he's even healthier and more inspired than before.

Kellen said that he's looking forward to the All-City Swim Meet and he's confident how he'll fare.

"I'm going to go win my race!" he said.

The boy still has blood work each week, but is considered stable enough to now get a checkup every six months.

Organizers said that the All-City Swim Meet is growing and has attracted participants throughout its long history. They said that 50 years ago, neighborhoods would hold their own meets in the area lakes.

These days, there are plenty of Madison area pools and the event rotates between participating locations. This year's event will be held at Ridgewood Pool and runs through Sunday.