- Allogeneic donors represent the majority of blood donations. These donors voluntarily donate whole blood for use in any individual needing a transfusion.
- Directed blood donors donate blood or blood components to be used for a specific patient. They must pass the same requirements that allogeneic donors face.
- Autologous donors donate their own blood for their own use. They are not required to pass the same requirements that the previous donors must.
- Apheresis donors donate platelets or plasma, and have their red blood cells returned to them during the course of the procedure. This allows them to donate more frequently than every eight weeks. They must pass the same requirements that allogeneic donors must pass.