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The Icelandic Blood Bank Frontpage
The Icelandic Blood Bank Frontpage

The Blood Bank

Blood donors

Become a blood donor

The blood bank is always looking for people who are willing to donate blood when needed.

Blood donation

It only takes 30-40 minutes to donate blood. This is what happens during your visit.

When can you donate blood

Learn more about the frequency of blood donation and the impact of life style on blood donation.

What affects blood donation?

A list of medicines, diseases, treatments, travel and other things that can affect blood donation.

Register for the stem cell donor registry

A stem cell donor registry is a list of individuals who are willing to donate some of their haematopoietic stem cells to patients who need them.

Donation of specific blood parts

With selective blood collection, platelets or plasma are collected. It enables the Blood Bank to manage production so that it is in line with demand.

Path of the Blood

Information about the path of the blood from the moment the donor arrives for blood donation until the recipient receives the blood through transfusion.

Blood groups

Composition of blood

Blood groups

The blood groups are A, B, O, and AB. Blood is also classified according to the Rhesus factor.

Composition of blood

Whole blood consists of red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma.

Iron in blood

Stem cells

Iron in blood

Iron and hemoglobin levels are measured in the blood during each blood donation. The purpose of this monitoring is to prevent iron deficiency, as approximately 250 mg of iron is lost from the body during blood donation.

Stem cells

Hematopoietic stem cells are found in the bone marrow and are the precursors of all blood cells. They can differentiate into more specialized cells such as red and white blood cells and platelets according to the needs of the body.