Emergency services workers and volunteers will compete to see who can give the most blood during a three-month challenge kicking off in June.
The Red Cross Blood Service's Emergency Services Challenge will see workers including police officers, Fire and Rescue NSW and RFS firefighters, nurses, Ambulance NSW paramedics and SES volunteers across the country roll up their sleeves to save lives.
Blue Mountains emergency services personnel will be right in the thick of it and hope it will encourage more blood donors from the general public to come forward.
Blood Service spokesperson Brenda Armstrong said emergency services workers are often faced with devastating scenes and people requiring life-saving measures.
"They understand the importance of blood donation," 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.
"With one-in-three Australians needing blood in their lifetime, there's every chance the lives saved could one day include yours or that of a close friend or family member.
"It's important that we find more everyday heroes just like our emergency service workers."
Australia needs about 1.3 million blood donations each year and currently 16 per cent comes from group donations, like those made by emergency services.
This challenge aims to help increase that benchmark to 25 per cent and is part of a national movement called Red25.
Donations registered at donateblood.com.au/clubred will be added to each group's tally. To find out more, call 131 495.
- Donations can be made during monthly visits by the donor mobile unit to Katoomba and Springwood. The unit will be in the Springwood town centre car park from June 2-5 and from June 30 to July 5. It will be in Katoomba in the United Cinema (The Edge) car park from July 6-10.
