Academic English

Listen to the recording blood donations and read along with the conversation. Review the key vocabulary and the sample sentences.

Narrator: So, do you want to be a hero today? Well, there is a great need for blood donations around the world, and you can be the means of saving lives. According to the American Red Cross, over 40,000 blood donations are needed every single day in the United States alone, and without the help of volunteers like you, it is impossible to fill this need. About 9.2 million people donate every year in the US, and although approximately 38% of the population is eligible to donate, less than 10% of them actually do.

Sometimes people don’t donate out of fear, but the process is relatively simple following a four-step process: registering, getting your medical history checked, donating, and then having some refreshments*. And once you donate, you have the ability to donate red blood cells every 56 days.

So, carefully consider becoming a hero today. Donate blood and you can save lives.

* (food and drink that you are given right after you donate to replenish your fluids and energy)

Information cited from http://www.redcrossblood.org/learn-about-blood/blood-facts-and-statistics.

• means (noun): way or method of doing something 
  – What is the best means of helping other people in the community?
• donate (verb): give something freely 
  – My father always donates money and items to the homeless shelter in our area.
• eligible (adjective): having the right to do something 
  – Children who come from low-income families are eligible to receive free lunches at school.
• register (verb): sign up for something 
  – How about registering to donate blood next month? It’s a great way to serve the community.
• consider (verb): think about 
  – I considered volunteering my time to help children learn how to read at the library, but our family moved before I had a chance.