Blood donations have decreased by 9% since 2005, and the Blood Bank says it needs 1,500 new donors.
Vísir reports that as the average life expectancy of Icelanders increases, the need for blood donors will also increase. By the Blood Bank’s estimates, the number of regular donors needs to increase from 6,500 to 8,000 to meet the growing demand.
Jórunn Frímannsdóttir, the department director for the Blood Bank, told reporters that women are less diligent about donating blood than men, and she especially encourages women to donate.
If you’ve never donated blood before, the Blood Bank has some advice to give. They recommend that potential donors eat and drink at least two hours before showing up, and not to play sports immediately after donating. Rather, they recommend taking part in the refreshments on offer at the Blood Bank.
The Blood Bank is located on Snorrabraut 60 and is open from 11:00 to 19:00 on Mondays; from 8:00 to 15:00 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays; and from 8:00 to 19:00 on Fridays. However, there is also a Bloodmobile, which will be making stops around the southwest this month.
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