The New York Blood Center announced a new screening process that could increase the number of donors.

Starting Sept. 18, the center will implement a screening process that is based on individual donor assessment and not sexual or gender identity. The Food and Drug Administration issued a similar guidance recently.

The initiative comes as New York's blood supply is below the five to seven-day threshold. The New York Blood Center says types O-positive, O-negative, and B-negative are critically low.