We all have it, and donating it can save up to three people's lives. The donation process only takes about 10 minutes of your time, but the benefits to yourself and others are priceless. What exactly is this simple act of kindness? It is donating blood. Every two seconds in the US, someone needs this precious resource1, and approximately 40,000 units of blood are needed in hospitals and emergency treatment facilities every day. Without this selfless gift from their fellow2 Americans, an estimated five million people would die each year.   The need for blood donations is strongly felt during the winter months in the US. People are busy getting ready for the holidays, which can mean tight travel schedules, little rest, and no time to donate. In addition, the winter weather results in seasonal colds and more traumatic3 injuries which may require increased amounts of blood. All these add up to a shortage in blood supplies, which is especially noticeable in January. Luckily, since 1970, January has been recognized as National Blood Donor4 Month. The American Red Cross tries to raise more public awareness about the importance of donating blood. Local chapters5 have offered incentives6 like getting a pound of coffee for giving a pint7 of blood. Celebrities have even dropped by blood donation centers to thank donors that have already shared generously. They also encourage others to help save lives with the simple act of giving blood. 中文翻譯   我們每個人都擁有它,而且將它捐出來可以拯救多達三條人命。捐助的過程只會花您大約十分鐘的時間,但是對您自己和他人的益處卻是無價的。這個簡單的善舉究竟是什麼呢?答案就是捐血。在美國,每兩秒鐘就會有一個人需要這項珍貴的資源,而且在該國各地的醫院和緊急醫療機構裡,每天大約會需要四萬單位的血量(編按:一單位的血為兩百五十毫升)。如果沒有這個來自其他美國同胞的無私獻禮,那麼每年估計將會有五百萬人死亡。   在美國的冬季月份裡,人們對於捐血必要性的感受尤為強烈。人們正忙著為各種佳節做好準備,這意謂著緊湊的旅遊行程、少量的休息,以及欠缺時間去捐血。此外,冬季氣候會帶來的季節性感冒與更多外傷的發生,都可能會需要用到更多的血量。上述的所有因素都會導致供血短缺,而這個現象在一月的時候尤其明顯。所幸自1970年以來,一月份已被公認為美國的全國捐血月。美國紅十字會試圖要鼓吹大眾更加重視捐血的重要性。各地的分會還利用像是以一品脫的血換取一磅的咖啡來作為鼓勵民眾捐血的誘因。名流人士更會造訪各個捐血中心來向已經慷慨捐血的捐贈者致意。他們也會鼓勵其他人以捐血這個簡單的舉動來幫忙救人一命。 科技新知 1. priceless a. 無價的;極其貴重的 The museum boasts a collection of priceless artifacts from the Song Dynasty. 那座博物館擁有一系列價值連城的宋朝藝術品。 2. approximately adv. 大約 The flight from Taipei to Seoul takes approximately two and a half hours. 從台北飛往首爾的航程需時約兩個半小時。 3. selfless a. 無私的,忘我的 Mother Teresa's selfless devotion to the sick and poor is highly respected. 德蕾莎修女對貧病人士的無私付出受到大家的敬重。 4. estimated a. 估計的,估算的 The estimated value of the painting is NT$100,000. 這幅畫作的估價為十萬元。 5. shortage n. 缺乏,不足 We were asked to conserve water due to a shortage. 因為缺水之故,我們被要求要節約用水。 Phrases for Learning 1. result in...  導致∕造成…… Unfortunately, Michael's careless driving resulted in the death of a little girl. 不幸的是,麥可的粗心駕駛造成一位小女孩的死亡。 2. add up to...  累積成為…… All of Jill's hard work added up to a successful career. 吉兒的所有努力造就了一段十分成功的職業生涯。 3. be recognized as...  被公認為…… The ritual is recognized as part of the cultural heritage of the country. 那項儀式被公認為該國的文化遺產之一。 Extra Words 1. resource n. 資源 2. fellow a. 同胞的;同學的;同伴的 3. traumatic a. 外傷的 4. donor n. 捐贈者(本文中亦作形容詞用) 5. chapter n.(組織機構等的)地方分會 6. incentive n. 鼓勵;刺激;動力 7. pint n. 品脫(一品脫為0.47317公升) More to Know Blood Donation Restrictions in Taiwan   各位要知道,並非所有人都可以捐血,如果捐出來的血不健康或不符合條件,那麼您的善舉反而可能會對別人造成傷害。若您符合以下情形,請千萬不要捐血: ★ 懷疑自己感染愛滋病毒或兩年內曾經與可能感染愛滋病毒之人士發生性行為者。 ★ 男性間發生性行為或一年內發生過危險性行為者(與陌生人發生性行為、進行性交易、超過一位以上的性伴侶等)。 ★ 曾罹患性病(梅毒、淋病等)。 ★ 曾經從事性工作者。 ★ 靜脈注射藥物成癮、曾經吸毒或慢性酒精中毒者。 ★ 愛滋病毒檢驗呈陽性反應或愛滋病患者。 ★ 長期使用血液製劑者。 另外,若您有以下情形之一者,請暫時不要捐血: ◆ 感冒正在治療中。 ◆ 在三天內拔牙。 ◆ 曾在七天內服用含阿斯匹靈類或其他藥物。 ◆ 懷孕中或產後(含流產)六個月以內。 ◆ 大手術未滿一年或一年內曾經接受輸血。 ◆ 於一年內有刺青者(包括紋身、紋眉)。 ◆ B型肝炎、C型肝炎病患或帶原者。 ◆ 一年內曾出國到瘧疾地區,或自西尼羅病毒流行區離境日起未滿一個月者。
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