The New York Blood Center hosted a blood drive in Rockland County Wednesday as officials grow more concerned the coronavirus will have lasting effects on our region's blood supply.

Mobile blood drives usually make up around 75% of the region's incoming blood supply, but drives are down two-thirds this year due to the coronavirus, worrying health officials.

The New York Blood Center says the area relies on school and college blood drives in the fall to make up for a lack of donations over the summer.

In the past, the NYBC collects 75,000 blood donations during the school year alone.

But the uncertainty of returning to school coupled with ongoing health concerns means there could be a shortage.

To better protect their health, donors must now make an appointment and physically visit the site to donate.

Donors are needed every two seconds to meet daily transfusion needs for people with cancer, post-surgery, and even newborns.

Those donating in Pomona say they recognize how critical their actions are. "It's important. I think everybody has an obligation during this time so we all kind of pick each other up during an important moment like this so anything that we can do to help," says Anthony Jorge, of Monroe.

To make up for these new challenges, the Blood Center is asking people and organizations to host drives in large venues with precautions like masks and social distancing if possible.

Walk-in are welcome but appointments are encouraged and can be made on the New York Blood Center's website.