Blood Donations Needed For Merchants’ Weekend Holiday

With the approach of a 3-day weekend, Blood Donation in Iceland has sent out the call.

Vísir reports that the blood types most needed right now are O and A, the most common blood types in Iceland. There is also a need for O-, a blood type often crucially needed in emergency situations for its tendency to be well-received by all other blood types.

In order to meet demand, Iceland needs some 13,000 blood donations every year, but holiday weekends are usually particularly busy times for needing blood.

You do not need to be an Icelandic citizen to give blood in Iceland. As Blood Donation in Iceland outlines, all you need is to “1) have an Icelandic identification number (kennitala), 2) plan to live in Iceland for at least one year, 3) be in general good health and 4) be 18-60 years old. If you come from Australia, USA, Europe, Canada or New Zealand, and fulfill the criteria for blood donors, you may donate blood after three months’ residence in Iceland. If you come from other areas you may donate after 6 months´ residence in Iceland.”