The sixth annual Jersey City Police and Fire 9/11 Memorial Blood Drive kicked off Friday.

Hudson County residents, police officers and firefighters donated their time and their blood for the cause. The event was hosted by Suburban Propane and the American Red Cross.

Close to 200 first responders and community members were expected to participate in the drive – many of whom witnessed the Sept. 11 attacks.

“We had a street view of the towers falling. I was watching the horror,” says Jersey City firefighter Matthew Ramos. “From that moment, it played a big role in who I became now and just a chance for me to give back on the day that everyone gave so much. It’s the least any of us can do."

Close to 1,000 bags of blood have been collected by the Red Cross as a result of this memorial drive since 2015.

The American Red Cross says that the organization supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood.