Vying to retain their winning title for the fourth year in a row, Victoria Police is once again participating in the Australian Red Cross Blood Service's Emergency Services Blood Challenge, with the aim to surpass the 1303 donations last year - which potentially saved 3909 lives.

First Constable Emma Grantham is running the initiative in Ballarat.

She has been donating blood since she was 16, so it has always been an important part of her life.

"As a police officer, we go to jobs everyday where we meet people who need blood because of critical incidents, road trauma or other medical conditions.

"So this is a means for us to give back to the community because we see the requirement for it everyday."

The challenge involves donating blood or plasma between June 1 and August 31 and aims to boost blood supplies for the winter period.

There are currently almost 80 Ballarat police officers participating in the challenge, and First Constable Grantham's goal is to encourage all of them to continue donating even after the challenge is completed.

Acting Sergeant Mel Peters has also been donating since she was 16, though stopped for a period due to having children. But when her mum was diagnosed with cancer and needed platelet infusions, it was a pertinent reminder of why it is so vital.

Now, she donates every couple of weeks as a form of community service.

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Police custody officer Tarquin Blackburn said it was an easy way for people to help others, with every donation potentially able to save three lives.

He realised how easy it was after giving blood for the first time.

"We all produce it and it's easy to do when you are fit and healthy. It only takes 45 minutes of your time so there is no real excuse not to do it if you can," he said.

"Plenty of people need it so stick a needle in the arm and get it done."

First Constable Grantham said police also love a bit of friendly competition, especially when it comes to beating police in New South Wales or Queensland, and there was fierce competition between Victorian stations too.

Acting Sergeant Peters urged all of the fit and healthy sportspeople who are currently unable to play due to restrictions to donate blood instead.

Donating blood is an essential service and blood banks are still open despite the pandemic, with extra precautions in place.

An Australian Red Cross Lifeblood spokesperson said:

"We want to reassure everyone that donor centres are safe to visit and it is still safe to give blood. Only healthy people are eligible to give blood with individual donors screened for any indication they may be unwell when they book to donate. Those who are sick are asked to wait until they are fully recovered before booking in.

"Our centres are strictly regulated spaces so we have always adhered to strict sanitation protocols including wearing gloves, wiping down surfaces after every donation and using single use sterile collection kits for every donation."

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