Krabbameinsfélagið

What Krabbameinsfélagið does

Krabbameinsfélag Íslands (Icelandic Cancer Society) is a non-profit voluntary association founded in 1951 and headquartered at Skógarhlíð 8, 105 Reykjavík, providing free cancer-related services across prevention, patient support, and research funding. The organization serves cancer patients and their families primarily through multilingual counseling (Icelandic, English, Polish, German) delivered by social workers, nurses, and psychologists via phone (800 4040), email, and in-person at its Reykjavík headquarters, and through a network of 20 regional affiliated societies and 7 support societies covering all regions of Iceland. Its core operational scope, per data through 2026, included support to more than 500 people in the prior year and the operation of large-scale awareness and fundraising campaigns such as Mottumars (Mustache March), Bleika slaufan (Pink Ribbon), the Reykjavíkurmaraþon Íslandsbanka charity runs, and the Sumarhappdrætti summer lottery, alongside prevention education programs targeting healthy-lifestyle cancer risk reduction.

The organization's most significant infrastructure is the Rannsóknasetur - Krabbameinsskrá (Research and Registration Centre), which operates three databases: the Krabbameinsskrá Íslands (Cancer Registry of Iceland), the Heilusögubankinn (Health History Bank), and the Ættagrunnur (Family Registry). The Cancer Registry functions as the country's only comprehensive cancer database, operated under a service agreement with Landlæknir (Office of the Chief Medical Officer) as data processor. The organization funds cancer research through the Vísindasjóður (Science Fund), which in June 2026 distributed 118 million ISK, its largest allocation since inception. Research activities include the Áttavitinn study, the Lífsgæði eftir krabbamein quality-of-life study, and a long-term HPV vaccine efficacy follow-up co-funded with MSD Danmark ApS.

Revenue is generated entirely through non-commercial means: individual donations and Velunnarar monthly supporters, corporate sponsorships (with participating companies receiving tax benefits of up to 1.5% of operating revenue), webshop merchandise sales via Shopify, lotteries, and research grants. A new Framfarasjóður (Progress Fund) was established in 2026 as an independent self-governing foundation with 75 million ISK in founding capital. As of 2026 the organization listed 35+ staff including specialists in counseling, research/registry, education/prevention, marketing and fundraising, regional affairs, and operations, and was marking its 75th anniversary with a 70,000-subscriber email list and an active multi-platform social media presence.

Name

Krabbameinsfélagið

Legal name

Krabbameinsfélag Íslands

Website

https://krabb.is

Company type

Private

Founded year

1951

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Krabbameinsfélag Íslands is a 75-year-old Icelandic non-profit providing free multilingual cancer counseling, prevention education, and research funding. It serves cancer patients, families, donors, and corporate partners, and operates the country's only comprehensive Cancer Registry under a government service agreement.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Cancer Support Services

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGACAA

Disease-Specific Research & Support (e.g., Cancer, Diabetes, ALS)

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Health & Medical Nonprofits

SECONDARYBPAGACAC

Community Health, Prevention & Health Education

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Health & Medical Nonprofits

SECONDARYHLAJALAJ

Chronic Disease & Health Promotion Program Funding

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Public Health, Government & Regulators/Public Health Funding, Grants & Program Administration

Keywords

• Cancer patient support
• Cancer prevention education
• Cancer research funding
• Counseling services
• Nonprofit health services

Headquarters

HQ city

Reykjavík

HQ country

Iceland

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Membership Fees: Individual donations, monthly supporter contributions (Velunnarar), and membership fees from 20 regional and 7 support affiliated societies. The organization operates entirely on donated and contributed funds.
2. Corporate Sponsorships and Partnerships: Corporate partners support through annual campaigns (Mottumars, Bleika slaufan), sponsorships, and cause-marketing arrangements. Companies receive tax benefits of up to 1.5% of operating revenue for donations.
3. Webshop Sales: Sale of merchandise including products from partners like Humdakin, Marimekko, and Normann Copenhagen. Products include soaps, napkins, smoke detectors, shoe horns, and memorial items.
4. Lotteries and Raffles: Summer lottery (Sumarhappdrætti) and other fundraising raffles generate revenue for cancer research and operations.
5. Research Grants and Government Support: Funding for research activities through Vísindasjóður (Science Fund) and operational support. In 2026, 118 million ISK was distributed for cancer research - the largest distribution since inception.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Krabbameinsfélag Íslands provides free cancer patient counseling and support (from social workers, nurses, and psychologists) in Icelandic, English, Polish, and German, along with cancer prevention education, research funding through the Vísindasjóður science fund, and operation of the national Krabbameinsskrá Íslands Cancer Registry. The organization runs a webshop selling cause-related merchandise and supplements income through lotteries, corporate sponsorships, and a monthly Velunnarar supporter program.

Product overview

Krabbameinsfélag Íslands (Icelandic Cancer Society) is a non-profit organization providing cancer-related services rather than a commercial technology product. Its offerings include counseling and support services (ráðgjöf og stuðningur), prevention education (forvarnir), and research funding (Vísindasjóður). The organization maintains three research databases: Krabbameinsskrá Íslands (Icelandic Cancer Registry), Heilsusögubankinn (Health History Bank), and Ættagrunnur (Family Registry). It conducts multiple research studies including Áttavitinn, Lífsgæði eftir krabbamein, and MSD-rannsókn. The organization runs two major awareness campaigns: Bleika slaufan (Pink Ribbon) for women's cancers and Mottumars (Moustache March). An e-commerce store (vefverslun) sells products to support the cause.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Bleika slaufan (Pink Ribbon): Annual awareness and fundraising campaign dedicated to the fight against cancer in women.
• Mottumars
• Vísindasjóður Krabbameinsfélagsins
• Krabbameinsskrá Íslands

Products and services

• Ráðgjöf og stuðningur (Counseling and Support Service) Free professional counseling and support delivered by social workers, nurses, and psychologists to cancer patients and their families during diagnosis, treatment, or post-treatment. Services are provided in Icelandic, English, Polish, and German via phone (800 4040), email, and in-person at the Reykjavík headquarters.
• Forvarnir (Cancer Prevention Education)
• Vísindasjóður (Science Fund Research Grants) Research grant funding program supporting Icelandic cancer research on causes, prevention, treatment, and patient quality of life. Distributed 118 million ISK in 2026, the largest single-year allocation in the fund's history.
• Krabbameinsskrá Íslands (Cancer Registry of Iceland) National cancer registry operated under a service agreement with the Office of the Surgeon General (Landlæknir). Tracks cancer diagnoses, treatments, and outcomes in Iceland and provides cancer statistics including incidence and survival data (e.g., 67% five-year survival rate).
• Vefverslun (Webshop) Online store selling cause-related merchandise including Humdakin hand soap (3,300 ISK), Marimekko napkins (1,000 ISK), Jalo Kupu smoke detectors (8,490 ISK), and Normann Copenhagen shoe horns (7,400 ISK). Built on the Shopify platform with all proceeds supporting cancer research and support services.

Quantifiable outcome

• 67% five-year cancer survival rate in Iceland (more than double the rate when registration began)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Mottumars Samstarfsaðilar (Mustache March Partners)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Corporate partners supporting the annual Mottumars campaign for prostate cancer awareness. Partners can donate a fixed amount per transaction, sell products with proceeds going to the campaign, or host events. Partners receive promotional consideration on Krabbameinsfélagið's platforms.
• Bleiku slaufunnar Samstarfsaðilar (Pink Ribbon Partners)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Corporate partners supporting the annual Bleika slaufan campaign for breast cancer awareness. Partners can donate a percentage of sales, host pink events, or provide fixed donations. Featured at the Opening Ceremony at Borgarleikhúsið with 70,000+ email reach.
• Landlæknir (Chief Medical Officer of Iceland)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Krabbameinsfélagið operates as data processor for the Cancer Registry of Iceland under service agreement with the Office of the Chief Medical Officer. The registry tracks all cancer diagnoses in Iceland for public health monitoring.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Norwegian Cancer Society (Kreftforeningen): The Norwegian Cancer Society is the closest direct peer: a national Nordic cancer nonprofit providing patient support, research funding, prevention, and cancer registry operations, funded primarily by donations. Highly comparable in mission, program mix, and operating model to Krabbameinsfélagið.
• Finnish Cancer Organizations (Syöpäjärjestöt): Umbrella federation of Finnish regional cancer societies providing patient support, research funding, and prevention. Strongly comparable regional-society federation structure and Nordic nonprofit model.
• Danish Cancer Society (Kræftens Bekæmpelse): Danish national cancer nonprofit operating research funding, patient counseling, prevention campaigns, and a research center, supported by a nationwide volunteer network and donations. Same Nordic nonprofit archetype and program structure as the Icelandic organization.
• Swedish Cancer Society (Cancerfonden): Sweden's national cancer fundraising and research-grant organization, focused on cancer research funding, public education, and prevention advocacy. Comparable in its grantmaking focus and donor-funded research model, though it does not directly operate a national cancer registry.

Broad incumbents

• American Cancer Society: Large US national cancer nonprofit offering research grants, patient support services (Road to Recovery, Hope Lodge), and prevention programs. Comparable program mix but operates at vastly larger scale in a much bigger population.
• Macmillan Cancer Support: UK cancer charity focused on patient-facing services including financial guidance, information, and in-person/phone support, funded by donations. Highly comparable to Krabbameinsfélagið's free counseling and family support services.
• Canadian Cancer Society: Canada's national cancer charity providing research funding, patient support, and prevention. Comparable in scope of mission (research + support + prevention) and donor-funded model, though serving a much larger population.
• Cancer Research UK: UK's largest cancer research charity, funding research, providing patient information, and running awareness campaigns. Much larger scale but covers the same program pillars (research funding, awareness, patient information) relevant to Krabbameinsfélagið.

Regional players

• Icelandic Red Cross (Rauði Kross Íslands): Domestic Icelandic nonprofit with similar volunteer-driven structure, donation-funded model, and country-wide service delivery. Not a cancer peer but directly comparable as a national Icelandic nonprofit operating in the same regulatory and donor market.

Emerging players

• World Cancer Research Fund International: International nonprofit funding cancer prevention research and policy. Comparable on the prevention-education and research-grantmaking dimensions, though operating globally rather than nationally.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@krabbameinsfelagid
• Facebookfacebook.com/krabbameinsfelagid
• Instagraminstagram.com/krabbameinsfelag_islands
• TikToktiktok.com/@krabbameinsfelagid
• Xx.com/krabbfelagid
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/krabbameinsfelag-islands

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Krabbameinsfélagið