During 2018, there were 7813 blood donations made across the region which represented a 2.7 per cent increase on the 7606 donations received in the year before.

An Australian Red Cross Blood Service (ARCBS) spokeswoman said that with three lives saved from every donation that amounted to 23,439 lives saved during 2018.

When it comes to bleeding for a good cause donors in Nowra led the way with more blood donations made last year than any other location in the region.

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There were 1993 blood donations made in Nowra, this was followed by Bowral (1388 donations), Shellharbour (1145), Goulburn (1004), Bega (861), Ulladulla (806), Kiama (497) and Yass Valley (119).

Plasma is also regularly donated by people across the region, however, the only place it is accepted is through the permanent donor centre in Goulburn.

Last year, 1409 plasma donations were made which was up up 6.0 per cent on the year before when 1329 donations were received.

The ARCBS spokeswoman said while there had been a decrease in the demand for red cells from hospitals during the past 12 months, demand for plasma has increased.

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“[Plasma] is used to create around 18 different lifesaving medications for cancer patients, trauma patients, new mothers, and those with blood disorders,” she said.

“With this changing demand, we have seen less need for red cell collections at our donor centres and hence lower collections, and a higher demand for plasma.

“The mobiles [donor centres] are continuing to play a critical role in meeting the need for our red cell donations and in 2019 we expect the increase in plasma continue.”

The ARCBS spokeswoman encouraged anyone yet to donate blood or plasma to do so to help others.

“Just one hour of your time can help save three lives,” she said.

“With no more than three per cent of the population donating, we are relying on too few Australians to give blood at critical times such as public holidays – Easter and Christmas – and winter when we see many of our regular donors become sick.

“We’d encourage people to donate at those times.”

Plasma donations can also be made through the permanent donor centre in Wollongong.

​Visit www.donateblood.com.au or call 13 14 95 to find out more.