多格斯基亚级:A Gift that Saves Lives 捐血一袋，救人一命

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.

我们每个人都拥有它，而且将它捐出来可以拯救多达三条人命。捐助的过程只会花您大约十分钟的时间，但是对您自己和他人的益处却是无价的。这个简单的善举究竟是什麽呢？答案就是捐血。在美国，每两秒钟就会有一个人需要这项珍贵的资源，而且在该国各地的医院和紧急医疗机构里，每天大约会需要四万单位的血量（编按∶一单位的血为两百五十毫升）。如果没有这个来自其他美国同胞的无私献礼，那麽每年估计将会有五百万人死亡。

在美国的冬季月份里，人们对於捐血必要性的感受尤为强烈。人们正忙著为各种佳节做好准备，这意谓著紧凑的旅游行程、少量的休息，以及欠缺时间去捐血。此外，冬季气候会带来的季节性感冒与更多外伤的发生，都可能会需要用到更多的血量。上述的所有因素都会导致供血短缺，而这个现象在一月的时候尤其明显。所幸自1970年以来，一月份已被公认为美国的全国捐血月。美国红十字会试图要鼓吹大众更加重视捐血的重要性。各地的分会还利用像是以一品脱的血换取一磅的咖啡来作为鼓励民众捐血的诱因。名流人士更会造访各个捐血中心来向已经慷慨捐血的捐赠者致意。他们也会鼓励其他人以捐血这个简单的举动来帮忙救人一命。

1. pricelessa. 无价的；极其贵重的
   The museum boasts a collection of priceless artifacts from the Song Dynasty.
   那座博物馆拥有一系列价值连城的宋朝艺术品。
2. approximatelyadv. 大约
   The flight from Taipei to Seoul takes approximately two and a half hours.
   从台北飞往首尔的航程需时约两个半小时。
3. selflessa. 无私的，忘我的
   Mother Teresa's selfless devotion to the sick and poor is highly respected.
   德蕾莎修女对贫病人士的无私付出受到大家的敬重。
4. estimateda. 估计的，估算的
   The estimated value of the painting is NT$100,000.
   这幅画作的估价为十万元。
5. shortagen. 缺乏，不足
   We were asked to conserve water due to a shortage.
   因为缺水之故，我们被要求要节约用水。

1. result in...导致　造成……
   Unfortunately, Michael's careless driving resulted in the death of a little girl.
   不幸的是，麦可的粗心驾驶造成一位小女孩的死亡。
2. add up to...累积成为……
   All of Jill's hard work added up to a successful career.
   吉儿的所有努力造就了一段十分成功的职业生涯。
3. be recognized as...被公认为……
   The ritual is recognized as part of the cultural heritage of the country.
   那项仪式被公认为该国的文化遗产之一。

1. resourcen. 资源
2. fellowa. 同胞的；同学的；同伴的
3. traumatica. 外伤的
4. donorn. 捐赠者（本文中亦作形容词用）
5. chaptern.（组织机构等的）地方分会
6. incentiven. 鼓励；刺激；动力
7. pintn. 品脱（一品脱为0.47317公升）