On Wednesday, Feb. 25, The New York Blood Center celebrated their first donor center in Throggs Neck, The Bronx.

Blood donations in the borough have declined by nearly 40% in recent years, but local hospitals are always in need of blood.

The new donor center is designed to make blood donation more convenient for residents and help reach new, and younger donors to strengthen the stability of local blood supply.

News 12 spoke with City Island resident Harlan Sexton who says blood donations saved her daughter's life after a drunk driver hit her.

That's when she says she understood the importance of blood donations.

"I began to learn more about how important it was for the hospital to always have blood on the shelves because you never know when someone is going to need it," said Sexton.

Now, the NYBC has a center in every borough of New York City, Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson celebrates as she says this was needed in the borough.

"Thank you so much to the New York Blood Center, I'm so grateful that now your presence is felt across all five boroughs and I always say, we save the best for last!"

To learn how you can participate head to the New York Blood Center website.