ESSENTIAL Energy employees from Dubbo and surrounds have jumped onboard a new initiative to save lives.
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They have joined the Australian Red Cross Blood Service in a new movement called Red 25, a unique giving program that rallies groups and organisations across the nation to achieve a target of 325,000 donations.
Australia needs about 1.3 million blood donations each year and currently 16 per cent comes from group donations.
The Red 25 program aims to increase that figure to 25 per cent.
Essential Energy senior resource supervisor Wayne Amor said the 25 per cent figure was achievable and the organisation's contribution would be a step towards that worthy goal.
"It was the staff members' idea to join Red 25 and donate blood together as part of the organisation's social responsibility program," he said.
"We know that thousands of people need blood every day and we want to raise awareness in the community about the importance of saving lives through blood donation."
Blood Service spokeswoman Erin Clarke commended the efforts of Essential Energy employees.
"One in three people will need blood in their lifetime, chances are they could be your workmate, neighbour or family member," she said.
"Donating blood takes only one hour and is an easy way to help cancer patients, burns, surgical and trauma patients, people with immune disorders and many others."
Any business or group could donate as part of Red 25.
Donations were tracked online, allowing groups to see how many lives they have saved.
Details were available at donateblood.com.au or on 13 14 95.