DUBBO, Bathurst and Orange Councils are urging residents to donate blood at their local Red Cross blood donor centre this Melbourne cup week to see who can save the most lives.

"Melbourne cup week is traditionally a bad week for donations," Debbie Garden Red Cross Dubbo donor centre manager said.

"We're looking to encourage new people or people who haven't donated in a while to donate."

The three councils have put out a challenge to their residents to prevent stocks from diminishing during this time.

Erin Clarke Blood Service spokesperson said many people will take off to celebrate the Cup, but patients in hospital continue to rely on life-saving transfusions.

"One in three Australians will need blood or a blood product in their lifetime, yet only one in 30 donates," she said.

"We can't take that chance, and blood donors from Dubbo City Council will be helping cancer patients, new mothers and babies, road trauma patients, and many other Aussies in need."

Platelets have a five-day shelf life, and the Red Cross Bloos Service are concerned the donations collected prior to the Melbourne Cup will be used by the last race, Ms Clarke said.

"The need for blood never takes a break and the Dubbo blood donor centre still needs nearly 60 appointments to be filled from October 31 to November 6," she said.

"In around the same time as a Melbourne Cup race you can put your feet up and save three lives."

The Dubbo blood donor centre is open Monday and Tuesday 11:30am to 7:30pm, Wednesday 8am to 2pm, and Thursday and Friday 8am to 3pm.

Appointments can be made by visiting donateblood.com.au, by calling the centre directly on 6885 7200 or via 13 14 95.