One blood donation has the power to save three lives and staff at Port Macquarie-Hastings Council are rolling up their sleeves to participate in the 2019 Australian Councils Blood Challenge.
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Pitted against councils from all over the country Port Macquarie-Hastings has competed before but this year they are getting serious.
First time donors mayor Peta Pinson and general manager Craig Swift-McNair led the charge on July 3 at the Blood Centre on Clarence Street, Port Macquarie.
"The mayor and I have never donated so when we committed to doing the challenge this year we decided it was a good time to roll up the sleeves," Mr Swift-McNair said.
"It is something I have always thought of doing but I guess its one of those things that you never get around to.
"So the council challenge was a good opportunity and you have the power to save three lives which is a bonus."
Anyone aged between 18-70 years old who is fit and healthy are eligible to donate blood and donated are used in dozens of life saving treatments.
After blood is donated it is separated into red blood cells, plasma and platelets which can then be used in a variety of different ways including cancer treatments, fighting tetanus and during surgery.
The Councils Blood Challenge started on July 1 and runs until September 30.
Mr Swift-McNair said the donating process had been simple and easy.
"I have already signed up to donate blood again and we are taking Billy the blood drop back to the office to encourage other staff members to come and donate," he said.
"Today we also had a bus of staff come from our Wauchope site and we hope others will come in and donate."
