The New York Blood Center has declared a blood emergency. They say it's due to a big drop in blood donations and have issued an urgent plea for blood donations in the city.

The center says shoring up the blood supply is especially important during summer months when there is typically a spike in traumas.

NY1 anchor Rocco Vertuccio spoke with Andrea Cefarelli, the senior vice president of Corporate Communications and Public Affairs at the New York Blood Center about how to donate, and why it's so important to do so.