According to figures released by the service around eight per cent of eligible Dubbo residents donate blood, well above the national average of three per cent. 

Orange also sits above the national average, coming in at 5.5 per cent. 

The figures come as more than 11,000 litres of blood was spilt in the Central West region in 2016 to save lives.

A Red Cross Blood Service spokesperson said in total close to 33,000 Australians were helped thanks to these donations.

“This included plasma and whole blood donations in Orange, Dubbo, and on board the mobile blood services to areas such as Bathurst, Orange and Parkes,” the spokesperson said. 

“More than 25 per cent of donations come from Central West organisations, business and community groups as part of the national Red25 program.

“Red 25 aims to rally businesses to together give 25 per cent of all blood donations needed in Australia.”

Despite this there are still around 83,000 people in the Dubbo and Orange region who are eligible to give blood, but just 5400 currently do so.

The spokesperson said fewer people are signing up to become blood donors than they were 10 years ago despite a growing and ageing population.

“​We attribute the decline to a number of reasons, including increased travel to malarial areas, fear of needles, and people generally becoming busier and more time-poor,” she said.

“However, blood donation only takes an hour to do but could mean a lifetime to someone in need.”

If you would like to donate blood, make an appointment by calling 13 14 95 or visit donateblood.com.au