The night was a celebration to those who have given blood, with milestone donor trophies presented to those people who have donated 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300 and 350 times.

National Blood Donor Week runs from 2-8 September and is a celebration of the 460,000 legendary donors who gave 1.3 million donations of blood last year and saved countless lives.

Dubbo’s Jeremy Walsh was at the local Blood Centre on Thursday giving his 153^rd blood donation.

He has been donating blood for over 20 years. Working as a clerk at the Dubbo Police station, Mr Walsh is also part of its Red25 group.

Mr Walsh attended the appreciation event at Dubbo, but said he doesn’t donate for the accolades.

“I have friends with Leukemia and I know people whose children have cancer… so I understand how much blood donations can help,” he said.

Mr Walsh has formed a great bond with the volunteers at the Dubbo centre and said what they do is just as important. “Everyone should donate. If they’ve got any questions just come in,” he said.

In the past year alone, nearly 90,000 Australians have generously given blood for the first time and they are being called on to make more life-saving donations.

Blood Service, Executive Director Donor Services, Cath Stone said additional donors are needed during September and throughout the year.

“National Blood Donor Week is a time when we say thank you to all our donors for their generosity and life-saving gifts, and we are using this opportunity to inspire more people to donate,” Ms Stone said.

“Our amazing donors can’t do it alone, and we need more people to make blood donation a regular, life-saving habit.

Ms Stone said while one in three Australians will need blood during their lifetime, only one in 30 Australians currently gives blood.

“It takes just an hour of your time to donate blood and every donation can help save up to three lives,” she said. Join the legends of Australia. Call 13 14 95 or visit donateblood.com.au