Is it safe to receive a blood transfusion from a directed donor such as a friend or relative?
Although this is a noble gesture and certainly generous, directed donors may be problematic and not advisable. First, the donor is not really considered to be a volunteer. There may be reasons to be less than honest in disclosing donor history. Second, the donor may not be the correct blood type. Third, a relative may be unsuitable because of a condition that could cause graft versus host disease, a condition that is almost certainly fatal. The safest current practice is to use volunteer blood and encourage your friends or relatives to voluntarily donate for the general use of all patients.
