Officer Noah Leotta Memorial Blood Drive Set For Dec. 18

GAITHERSBURG, MD — A blood drive in honor of Montgomery County Police Officer Noah Leotta, who died after he was hit by a drink driver, will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 18.

Leotta, 24, was struck by and killed by a drunk driver while on DUI patrol in 2015. His death sparked the introduction and eventual passage of Noah's Law — one of the toughest drunken driving statutes in the country.

State law now requires offenders to use an ignition interlock. A convicted person must blow into the ignition device before getting on the road. The car will not start if the individual does not pass the breathalyzer.

You can pay tribute to Leotta by donating blood at the county's public safety headquarters in Gaithersburg (100 Edison Park Drive) on Dec. 18. The memorial blood drive will start at 8 a.m. and end at 2 p.m.

Register online at www.redcrossblood.org and enter Sponsor ID: "MCPSHQ Gaithersburg" in Find a Blood Drive or call 1-800-733-2767 to schedule your appointment.

Consider a Power Red donation if you are O-, O+, A- or B- blood type. Your donation will double its impact. Eligibility concerns, please call the Red Cross at 1-866-236-3276.