The gift of blood, why it matters

献血为何重要

常速 | 四级（中等）| 661词 | 4min45s

刘立军供稿

Part I. QUESTIONS

Listen to the interview and choose the best answer to each question you hear.

Q1. According to Dr. Yuyun Maryuningsih, why can one blood donation save multiple lives?  

A. Blood components are separated and used for different patients.  

B. Plasma can be stored for up to one year for emergencies.  

C. Blood donors are required to donate multiple times a year.  

D. Blood banks prioritize patients with severe conditions.  

Q2. What is the main reason why regular blood donation is critical, as explained in the text?  

A. Blood components have different expiration dates.  

B. Blood banks often face shortages during emergencies.  

C. Plasma storage requires advanced technology.  

D. Patients with chronic diseases rely on fresh blood supplies.  

Q3. What is one of the key advantages of voluntary unpaid blood donations mentioned in the text?  

A. They ensure higher blood quality through testing.  

B. They prevent exploitation of vulnerable individuals.  

C. They increase the frequency of donations.  

D. They reduce the cost of blood collection systems.  

Q4. What can be inferred about the challenges of maintaining safe blood donation systems?  

A. They require frequent updates to testing standards.  

B. They rely heavily on community-based traditions.  

C. They depend on the honesty and health of donors.  

D. They face difficulties in ensuring proper storage and distribution.  

Q5. What is the main purpose of the text?  

A. To discuss the benefits of regular blood donation.  

B. To explain how blood donation systems operate worldwide.  

C. To emphasize the importance of safe and voluntary blood donation.  

D. To highlight the medical uses of red blood cells, platelets, and plasma.  

Part II. TRANSCRIPT

The gift of blood, why it matters

VGS: We’re talking about something powerful, invisible and life-saving. Your blood. It’s a gift only you can give. Our expert is Dr Yuyun Maryuningsih and we’re talking about blood donation. Welcome, Yuyun. As a student, I used to donate blood quite regularly and also throughout my work life. What about you?

YM: Of course, I have, and I always tell people that donating blood is easy, safe and makes a real difference.

VGS: But there’s something new I learned, that when you donate blood, you could be saving up to three lives, right?

YM: Yes, exactly. You are right, because (Q1) when you donate blood, your blood will be separated into red blood cells, platelets and plasma. And each can be given to a different patient. For example, we can give the red blood cells for an anaemia patient. And then we can give the platelets to a bleeding patient and plasma for the infectious patients. All at once.

platelet n. 血小板  

plasma n. 血浆  

anaemia n. 贫血  

VGS: Wow. And there is an expiry date for the donated blood. Talk to us about that.

expiry n. 到期

YM: Yes, for example, (Q2) the platelets only last for five days, red blood cells for six weeks, and then plasma if frozen, it lasts for one year. That is why regular donation is very important to keep the blood stock of the blood bank, especially during emergency and outbreak situations.

VGS: But it’s not just about emergencies, right?

YM: Absolutely. So for cancer treatment and surgeries, and also for treatment of severe anaemia, and mothers who have complications during childbirth, none of these are possible without safe blood.

VGS: So now, let’s talk about how to donate blood. It’s important that it’s voluntary, right?

YM: (Q3) Voluntary unpaid donations are safer, because this donor is usually more honest about their health and it avoids exploiting vulnerable people, who might feel pressured to sell blood. And the voluntary blood donation systems, in general, are more reliable over the long term.

VGS: So, Yuyun, when I was in university, I had a classmate who had haemophilia, and he needed regular blood donation. I think he needed blood plasma. And I’m talking about a few decades back when maybe the blood systems weren’t that safe. Unfortunately, he contracted HIV with infected blood. So talk to us about national blood donation systems. What does it take to keep it safe?

haemophilia n. 血友病  

YM: So the key is that the country needs to have a strong national blood system. (Q4) That means that each unit of blood should be tested and then should be processed, and of course, storage and distribution according to the standard.

VGS: Yuyun I remember, I was in Sri Lanka many years ago and they have a beautiful tradition of donating blood on full moon nights. And this donation happens in communities, universities, temples, isn’t that amazing?

YM: Yes, that is a wonderful tradition. And for those wondering actually, you can donate blood more than once. So for example, if you want to donate red blood cell you can donate every 8-12 weeks. And if you want to donate platelets or plasma, you can donate every 2-4 weeks.

VGS: Let’s talk about who can donate blood.

YM: Almost all can donate blood, from 18 to 65 years old and healthy, minimum 50 kilograms of body weight. And before donating blood, you will get a quick health check. So nothing scary.

VGS: Okay, and it doesn’t take very long, right? Just ten minutes?

YM: Yes, of course, just ten minutes to get blood to be drawn and then, to complete collecting the blood, it takes 35, 30 minutes to 40 minutes, including refreshments.

VGS: Okay, that’s like your lunch break. You can go donate blood if you’re eligible during your lunch break. Take a friend with you, get an appointment, and please donate blood. That was science in five today. Thank you, Yuyun. Until next time then. Stay safe, stay healthy, and stick with science.

eligible adj. 符合条件的，合格的  

Part III. KEY

Q1.A.【解析】细节题。根据“When you donate blood, your blood will be separated into red blood cells, platelets and plasma. And each can be given to a different patient.”，可知献血时，血液会被分离成红细胞、血小板和血浆，每一种都可以提供给不同的患者，因此能拯救多条生命。正确答案为A。

Q2. A.【解析】细节题。根据“The platelets only last for five days, red blood cells for six weeks, and then plasma if frozen, it lasts for one year. That is why regular donation is very important to keep the blood stock of the blood bank.””，可知血小板只能存活五天，红细胞存活六周，而血浆如果冷冻，可以保存一年。三种血液成分保质期各不相同，因此定期献血十分重要。正确答案为A。

Q3. B.【解析】细节题。根据“Voluntary unpaid donations are safer, because this donor is usually more honest about their health and it avoids exploiting vulnerable people, who might feel pressured to sell blood.”，可知自愿无偿献血更安全，因为这类献血者通常对自己的健康更诚实，并且避免剥削可能因压力而卖血的弱势群体，也就是可以防止剥削弱势群体。正确答案为B。

Q4. D.【解析】推理题。根据“That means that each unit of blood should be tested and then should be processed, and of course, storage and distribution according to the standard.”，可知每一部分的血液都应该经过检测，然后进行加工，还要按照标准进行储存和分发。由此可以推断，血液的规范储存与分发是维持安全献血体系的一个重要挑战。正确答案为D。

Q5.C.【解析】主旨题。整篇文章的核心内容是强调献血的价值、自愿无偿献血的优势、如何保持血液系统安全以及献血的具体过程，呼吁安全、自愿献血。正确答案为C。

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