BAYVILLE — As National Donor Day is observed February 14, the family of a Bayville firefighter and Army veteran is urging residents to consider registering as organ and tissue donors, sharing how one decision continues to impact lives across the country.
Brian Joseph Letrent, 34, died June 21, 2023, after suffering a cardiac episode following firefighter training. A longtime member of the Bayville Volunteer Fire Department’s Station 17, Letrent spent more than a decade responding to emergencies in his hometown. He also served as a HazMat officer in Ocean County and previously deployed to Iraq with the U.S. Army.
His family later learned that Letrent had quietly registered as an organ and tissue donor.
Kathleen Whitley said she was unaware of her son’s decision until hospital officials contacted her after his death. She said honoring his wishes was never in question.
“He was always helping others,” Whitley said. “Knowing he could continue to do that even after he was gone brought us comfort.”
Through donation, Letrent’s organs and tissues helped multiple recipients, including individuals with vision loss, a woman undergoing treatment for breast cancer and a young child in need of a bone marrow transplant. Whitley said letters from recipients describing how their lives were changed have helped her family cope with their loss.
Letrent’s dedication to service began early. He joined the Army while still in high school and later returned home to Bayville, where he worked as a mechanic for the Berkeley Township Sewage Authority. He had recently earned a promotion before his passing. Outside of work and firefighting, he enjoyed camping, kayaking, riding ATVs and following NASCAR.
Among his fellow firefighters, Letrent was known as a dependable responder. He was awarded the Medal of Gallantry after rescuing a missing person from a creek, placing himself at risk to save another.
Today, his family is partnering with the NJ Sharing Network to promote organ and tissue donation statewide. The nonprofit coordinates the recovery and placement of donated organs and tissues in New Jersey.
National Donor Day, held each year on February 14, highlights the ongoing need for donors. According to the United Network for Organ Sharing, more than 100,000 people nationwide are awaiting a lifesaving transplant, including nearly 4,000 in New Jersey. Officials note that a single organ donor can save up to eight lives and improve the lives of dozens more through tissue donation.
Whitley said her entire family has since ensured their driver’s licenses reflect their status as organ donors.
“It’s one simple choice that can mean everything to someone else,” she said.
Residents interested in learning more or registering as donors can visit NJ Sharing Network online.
