Health officials in New York say the state continues to face what some have called an emergency shortage of blood. 

Andrea Cefarelli, of the New York Blood Center, says blood donations always drop during this time of year while people are on vacation. 

Blood donation advocates say people who donate are especially helping newborn babies.

"They need blood as new as they are," says Cefarelli. "Baby blood should be fresher and newer than the average recipient."

Robert Stein was at the blood center in Elmsford Friday to donate platelets. He says he donates each month as his way of giving back.