NEW YORK (AP)  -- Wall Street's economic meltdown has also affected New York City's lifeblood.

The crisis has claimed three financial firms that regularly held blood drives. New York Blood Center President and CEO Dr. Robert Jones, in a statement, said A-I-G, Lehman Brothers and Bear Stearns had been among the center's most dedicated supporters.

He says the economic crisis has caused other firms to cut back or cancel scheduled blood drives as demand for blood in the New York City area has increased.

Jones says the blood center supplied 3,000 additional units of blood last month, compared to September 2007, to the 200 area hospitals it serves.

People are eligible to donate blood if they weigh at least 110 pounds and are in good health.