Skip to main content

What is Kraftur?

Kraftur is an organization that supports young adults diagnosed with cancer from the age of 18 to 40 years old and relatives from 18 years old. You can get various support at Kraftur, such as financial support, consultation, peer support, coaching etc. You can see the support you can get at Kraftur here below. Kraftur’s services are generally free for members. However, the membership fee is 4.500 kr. and is paid annually.

Support interviews – Have you or a loved one recently been diagnosed with cancer?

Kraftur offers support interviews to those adjusting to a new reality after a diagnosis. In the interview we will review all the support and services that are available for newly diagnosed individuals and relatives, as well as things that are worth keeping in mind following a diagnosis.

Support and consultation

Kraftur offers support and consultation to people diagnosed with cancer and their relatives in collaboration with The Icelandic Cancer Society (ICS). Our members have access to free psychological and social work consultations.

The Icelandic Cancer Society also employs social workers who help with social resources and patients rights such as illness rights, sickness benefit funds, health insurance and more. They assist cancer patients and their families to cope with financial and social changes following a diagnosis.

Financial support

Kraftur supports its members with financial aid.

  • Kraftur’s Emergency Fund. The emergency fund is intended to support young people who have been diagnosed with cancer and have encountered financial difficulties due to their illness. The emergency fund is intended to cover medical and pharmaceutical costs as well as additional costs that may result from the illness.
  • Subsidy for medication purchases. Medication costs are considerably high for those diagnosed with cancer and despite Icelandic Health Insurances’ (I: Sjúkratryggingar Íslands) participation in medication costs. In accordance with regulations, many cancer patients need medications that are not covered by Sjúkratryggingar Íslands. Kraftur’s members can apply for subsidies for purchases of medications related to their illness at all Apótekarinn Pharmacies, this is a joint project between Kraftur and Apótekarinn Pharmacy.
  • Memorial Fund. The purpose of the memorial fund is to support/subsidize relatives to cover funeral expenses when one of our members dies due to their illness or its consequences. 

Peer support/The Support Network:

Kraftur places great emphasis on creating a platform for young cancer patients and relatives to be able to share experiences and be there for one another in the process. Kraftur together with The Icelandic Cancer Society operates The Support Network, which has over 100 experienced persons of all ages who understand you and what you are going through. These are people we call support representatives – who have been diagnosed with cancer themselves or are relatives of cancer patients. All of them are ready to listen, share, and support you. The support representatives are located across the country and are of various nationalities. It can be helpful to meet someone who has gone through similar experiences.

Advocacy and patients rights

In Kraftur, we help members with issues regarding their rights and protect their interests.

Support Groups:

Kraftur operates support groups for cancer patients and relatives, but it can be extremely helpful to meet others who are in similar situations and share your experiences with others who can understand you.

  • StelpuKraftur is a support group for young women between the ages of 18 and 40 who have been diagnosed with cancer.
  • StrákaKraftur is a support group for young men between the ages of 18 and 40 who have been diagnosed with cancer.  
  • AðstandendaKraftur is a support group for relatives who have a loved one who has been diagnosed with cancer.

Coaching:

You can book an appointment with a qualified coach at Kraftur. The purpose of coaching is to bring out the best in each individual through conversations. Through coaching, you can improve both your personal and professional lives.

FítonsKraftur – Exercise and outdoor activities

FítonsKraftur is a platform for members, cancer patients and relatives who want to exercise and practice outdoor activities, which can contribute to improved health and well-being. FítonsKraftur operates in the form of seminars, events, online personal training, outdoor activities as well as a hiking group Að klífa brattann, which on average goes on hikes once a month in the Reykjavík area.

Support and services for people living in the countryside

  • Kraftur operates NorðanKraftur, which is a support group for young people aged 18-40 who have been diagnosed with cancer and relatives of all ages. NorðanKraftur meets every month in Akureyri or surrounding area and offers interviews every month at the offices of The Cancer Society of Akureyri at Glerárgata 34, second floor.
  • The Icelandic Cancer Society has eight apartments meant for patients and relatives coming from the countryside to Reykjavík to receive cancer treatment. All of the apartments are located at Rauðarárstígur 33 in downtown Reykjavík. Landspítalinn (e. National University Hospital of Iceland) manages the operation and allocation of the apartments.  
  • Sjúkrahótel Landspítala (e. hospital patient’s hotel) is for patients and their families who need to stay away from their homes due to treatment.
  • The Icelandic Cancer Society operates service offices around the countryside where they provide information and support for people diagnosed with cancer and relatives. The services are free of charge. Service offices can be found in: Ísafjörður, Akureyri, Skagafirði, Reyðarfirði, Árnessýslu og Reykjanesi. In addition, there are 22 regional associations across the country and seven support groups.

Register at Kraftur

Anyone that is diagnosed with cancer between the ages of 18 and 40, and their relatives, can register as a member of Kraftur.
Kraftur’s services are generally free for members. However, the membership fee is 4.500 kr. and is paid annually.

If you want to become a member of Kraftur, please fill out the register form.

Further information

Please contact us for further information via the email kraftur@kraftur.org or by telephone 866-9600.