Even before officials’ decision to close schools, churches and nursing homes amid the coronavirus outbreak, the New York Blood Center says their donations had taken a hit. 

“We’ve had blood drive cancellations all the way through May, resulting in a dramatic decrease in blood donations,” said Andrea H. Cefarelli, New York Blood Center, Senior Executive Director Donor Recruitment & Marketing.

75 percent of the region's blood comes from those community blood drives. 

They are not alone. On Thursday morning, the American Red Cross tweeted that nearly 4,500 of their blood drives had also been canceled due to coronavirus.  The U.S. Surgeon General has been trying to get the word out by asking millennials and gen Xers, specifically, to step up.

“Social distancing does not have to mean social disengagement. Give blood today you’ll feel good about it,” said U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams.

In response to cancellations, the New York Blood Center doubled capacities at donor centers by extending their hours and opening them for more days each week.

Outside the New York Blood Center’s Upper East Side location, we encountered at least one donor who made the trip after hearing about the need on television.

“The surgeon general made a statement of how they are having the shortage on blood and I felt it was necessary to come,” said Isauro Flores, a blood donor.

Officials at the Blood Center say while treating COVID- 19 doesn’t require a lot of blood, the 42-day shelf life for donations means they’re in constant need. What they’re trying to do now is assure New Yorkers that donating doesn’t put them at risk.

“Our blood collection sites are disinfected frequently and we are taking extra precautions to prevent the person to person risk of COVID-19,” said Cefarelli.

At the front door, a sign tells visitors to refrain from entering if they have any symptoms of the virus or have been in close contact with someone who has it.

Potential donors found all the additional safeguards comforting.

“I trust them to take the necessary precautions, they are medical professionals,” said Jared Shelley, a blood donor.