常春藤生活英语【130】Paying It Forward to Save a Life 把爱传出去

Paying It Forward to Save a Life 把爱传出去

In 2006, Matthew Jones decided to donate his kidney to anyone who needed it—even a total stranger. He turned to a special computer program to help him find someone to save. The revolutionary new software paired Jones with a woman from Arizona. The woman's husband had originally wanted to give her his kidney, but their blood types weren't compatible. Jones gave his kidney instead, and the husband used the software to donate his kidney to another stranger in need.

Ten transplants later, the "donor chain" Jones started is still going. The kind actions of one stranger are paid forward by someone close to the patient who receives the kidney. The people participating in the chain don't know each other beforehand. That is because the purpose isn't to just help a friend or relative—it is to help anyone who needs it. "My dream would be that we eliminate the waiting list because we could turn every altruistic donor into 100 transplants," said Dr. Michael Rees, an expert in kidney transplants. As long as there are enough people like Matthew Jones to inspire others with their generosity, donor chains could really change the world.

2006 年，马修‧琼斯决定将他的肾脏捐给任何有需要的人，即便是完全的陌生人也不例外。于是他便求助于一个特别的计算机程序来帮他寻找需要救助的人。这套创新的软件把他和一名住在亚利桑那州的女士配成对。这位女士的先生原本打算把肾脏捐给她，但他们血型却不兼容。因此改由琼斯捐赠他的肾脏，而女士的先生则利用该套软件将自己的肾捐给另一个有需要的陌生人。

十次肾脏移植后，琼斯所起头的『捐赠链』还依然持续中。一位陌生人的善行，透过接受捐肾病患身旁亲近的人而不断传出去（编按：本文中所提到的"pay...forward"一词，最早源于2000年所上映的Pay It Forward《让爱传出去》这部电影，其意思也正如电影的译名所指）。参与捐赠链的人们在事前并不认识对方。那是由于其用意本非仅是帮助朋友或亲人而已，而是救助任何有此需要的人。肾脏移植专家麦可‧李斯医生表示：『我的梦想是我们能舍弃等候名单，因为我们可以将每个心怀利他主义的捐赠者推展成一百个移植手术。』只要能有够多像马修‧琼斯这样的人，用他们的慷慨善意来启发别人，捐赠链真的就能改变世界。

1. Why did Matthew Jones choose to donate his kidney to the woman?
(A) The woman was his wife.
(B) He knew the woman personally.
(C) They were matched together by a new computer program.
(D) They live in the same neighborhood in Arizona.

1. 为何马修‧琼斯选择将他的肾脏捐给那位女士？
(A) 那位女士是他的妻子。
(B) 他本身认识那位女士。
(C) 他们是藉由一个新的计算机程序配对而成的。
(D) 他们同住在亚利桑那州的一个小区里。

2. According to the article, which of the following is true?
(A) The donor chain that Matthew Jones started has not ended yet.
(B) People who receive a donated organ also have to donate one themselves.
(C) The point of the donor chain is to only help strangers.
(D) The donor chain is made up of friends who already know each other.

2. 根据本文，下列何者为真？
(A) 由马修‧琼斯开头的捐赠链至今尚未结束。
(B) 接受他人捐赠器官者，自己也必须捐赠器官。
(C) 捐赠链的用意仅是为了要帮助陌生人。
(D) 捐赠链是由原已相识的友人们所组成。

答案：1. (C)　2. (A)

Building Your Vocabulary

1. revolutionary　a. 创新的，革命性的
Penicillin was considered a revolutionary drug.
盘尼西林曾经被认为是一种革命性的药物。
2. pair　vt. 使配对
The dance teacher paired Jim with a tall girl.
舞蹈老师把吉姆和一位高个子的女生配对成舞伴。
3. participate　vi. 参加，参与
We all participated in the charity event.
我们全都参与了那项慈善活动。
4. beforehand　adv. 事先，事前
Susan knew that Cory was coming because he had phoned her beforehand.
苏珊知道柯瑞会来，因为他事前打了电话给她。
5. eliminate　vt. 消除，排除
The possibility of murder was eliminated.
这是件凶杀案的可能性已经被排除了。
6. generosity　n. 慷慨，大方
Generosity is the key to Barry's popularity.
贝瑞受欢迎的关键正是他为人慷慨大方。

Phrases for Learning

1. donate A to B　　将 A 捐赠给 B
Samuel donated blood to the Red Cross.
山缪捐血给红十字会。
2. turn to...　　求助于∕求教于……
Connie often turns to her priest for advice.
康妮常会向她的牧师寻求忠告。

Extra Words

1. kidney　n. 肾脏（本文中亦作形容词用）
2. compatible　a. 相容的，兼容的
3. transplant　n. 移植（手术）
4. donor　n. 捐赠者（本文中亦作形容词用）
5. chain　n. 链
6. altruistic　a. 利他主义的；利他的

SENTENCE PATTERN

As long as there are enough people like Matthew Jones...
（只要能有够多像马修‧琼斯这样的人……）
as long as + 主词 + 动词　　只要……
= so long as + 主词 + 动词
注意:
"as/so long as"是副词连接词，引导副词子句以修饰主要子句，且其所引导的副词子句可置于主要子句之前或之后。
As long as you stick to the plan, you won't run into any problems.
= You won't run into any problems so long as you stick to the plan.
（只要你按照计划做就不会遇上任何问题。）

本课程选自常春藤免费电子刊物。若对您英语学习有所帮助，请支持购买常春藤英语相关正版教材。