Not only was it St Patrick’s Day, but after much anticipation and perspiration, the Australian Red Cross Blood Service Taree Donor Centre collected its first plasma donation.

The centre commenced apheresis collections this week.

Nurse unit manager Kathryn Wilson is thrilled with the early interest in this new type of blood collection.

“We are so happy with the willingness of our regular donors, they are so keen to help out as much as possible,” Kathryn said.

The plasma donated by people will be used to create 16 different blood products which can be used to treat blood disorders and cancers.

“There is a huge demand for these products due to the ageing population,” Kathryn said.

Donors need to have good veins, tolerate whole blood donation well and weigh 60 kilograms or more.

The Taree Donor Centre will be the third plasma collection site on the North Coast of New South Wales, joining Lismore and Port Macquarie.

The centre will now be collecting plasma along with whole blood and will extend its opening hours to allow for extra donations.

The new hours will be Monday and Tuesday, 11am to 6pm, and Thursday and Friday, 8am to 2pm.