“We emphasize giving time and time again, but the greatest thing we can give is life,” says Upstate pastor Arnold Hiette.
Arnold HietteAfter having been diagnosed with non-alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver, Hiette received the “gift of life” through the miracle of a liver transplant in 2006.
Hiette was first diagnosed with the disease in 2001. By December of 2005, his disease had reached its final stages.
“They told me at that point, I had between six and 12 months to live,” recalls Hiette. My first thought was that I was not going to have a transplant. I just didn’t feel like I wanted to go through that,” he adds.
As his family watched his health deteriorate, they pleaded with him to change his mind. Finally, his wife and family convinced him to at least consider a transplant.
Three months later, Hiette went to MUSC for an evaluation. By that time, he was so weak that he was admitted to MUSC. Later, he learned why. “I was told that I not only needed the liver, but also a kidney,” he recalls.
A week later, Hiette left the hospital still a very weak man and now needing not only a liver but also a kidney transplant.
“We came back home and I continued to grow weaker,” shares Hiette. “But by God’s grace, some way, some how, we continued on.”
“I would not be sitting here today if it wasn’t for my family. I was just existing from day to day,” Hiette remembers. “All of my family was tremendous to me, but my wife was just extra special. She fed me everything, took care of me just like I was an infant for several months.”
On May 22, 2006 at 1:30 a.m, the Hiettes got a call that changed their lives forever.
“They said that they had (a) donor. We arrived at MUSC at 5:00 a.m. I received the organs of a young man 16 years old,” recalls Hiette. The surgery lasted 10 hours.
Now more than a year after the transplant, Hiette says, “I am able to pretty much carry on a normal day’s activities.”
Prior to his illness, Hiette was the senior pastor at Barker’s Creek Baptist Church in Honea Path, but had to give up the position. Now, because of his love for sharing Christ with others, he is currently volunteering as the interim pastor for People’s Baptist Church in Greer.
As a pastor for more than 28 years, Hiette had counseled several families faced with making the decision about organ donation. He recalls counseling one family in particular after the death of their son, “I told that family that yes, their son was gone, but they could contribute to another life because their son could help someone else live.”
Now more than ever, Hiette understands how important it is for churches to learn more about organ donation prior to that difficult time when families are facing the death of their loved one.
He says, “Now I understand how important it is. If God gives me an opportunity to share from the pulpit, then I always try to emphasize how important it is to be an organ donor.”
He now volunteers with Donate Life South Carolina, a non-profit organization which works to educate the public about the topic while promoting organ and tissue donation. As a volunteer with Donate Life, Hiette will be participating in Donate Life South Carolina’s first annual Clergy Appreciation luncheon Oct. 12 in Greenville, at the Carolina First Center. While this luncheon will be hosted by Donate Life South Carolina, organ donation will not be the only topic of the day.
The keynote speaker will be Chick-fil-A founder Truett Cathy, who will share his inspiring personal testimony. The luncheon will include an educational mini-seminar, with a panel of professionals speaking to the issues of grief and trauma and the important role clergy play in the healing process.
Space is limited, but if senior pastors are interested in attending or would like to have a representative of their church attend, they can contact Donate Life South Carolina to register. The number to call is 1-87-PASS-IT-ON or go to www.donatelifesc.org and fill out the online registration.
Johnson is media coordinator for Donate Life South Carolina.