A new blood donation center in Dutchess County will help combat the decrease in donations since the pandemic, according to the New York Blood Center, which celebrated a grand opening Monday in Fishkill.

The new center is on U.S. 9, but there's been a center on Route 52 in East Fishkill for more than 40 years. 

The blood center says it has generated more than 200,000 lifesaving donations. 

Donation numbers have taken a hit since the pandemic and the resulting changes in where we work.

The Blood Center says there's a 50% decrease in youth and first-time donors.

There aren't as many community blood drives, but the center hopes this new building will help.