This is the most preferred category as voluntary blood donor donates blood altruistically and willingly. He is trusted about his illnesses and honestly answers questions asked by medical officer. First time voluntary blood donor may not be safe if he/she is in the window period of infection. Therefore the safest and best blood donors are Regular voluntary blood donor whom blood bank has tested regularly and found negative for infections on each occasion.

A donor who donated blood for exchange of money or other form of payment is the professional/paid donors. Supreme Court of India has banned these donors since January 1998 as these are high risk donors who pose a risk of transmitting infections in the recipient of blood.

A donor who is forced to donate blood to replace the blood units to be given or already given by the blood bank, is called replacement donors. Such donation is not safe as donor may not give true answers during medical interview. There is also risk that if the family is forced to replace the blood units, then they may bring professional donors who will pose as relatives or friends. Such blood will compromise patient's safety.

This donation is popularly know as "Same Replace". These donors have the same ABO and Rh type as patient and insist that their blood should be transfused to patient. This donation has following disadvantages :

a. Anonymity cannot be assured.

b. Such donations indicate lack of confidence in blood bank services.

c. As freshly drawn blood is given risk of Graft Versus Host diseases, particularly if donor is the first degree relative. Fresh blood also poses risk infection, allergic and pyrogenic reactions.

d. Directed donation incurs extra expenditure as rapid tests are done on blood units. Blood bank needs additional staff to carry out jobs from bleeding donors, testing, preparing components etc.

e. Chances of error are more as particular donor's blood unit is segregated for a particular patient.