Yorkers are urged to donate blood as the American Red Cross has issued an emergency appeal for blood donors.

The blood types that are most needed are O+, O-, B+ and B-, said Mindy Guise, spokeswoman for the American Red Cross in York. However, there is a need for all types.

Blood donations are down nearly half from their usual stock, according to a news release.

June numbers have not been completely calculated, but the drop is

expected to be about 50,000 fewer pints of blood donated than expected for the greater Chesapeake and Potomac Region, Guise said.

In a typical month, there are generally 1,600 to 1,700 pints donated in York and Adams counties, said Guise.

About 38 percent of the population is believed to be eligible to donate blood, the news release said. To be eligible to donate blood, individuals must be at least 17 years or older, weigh 110 pounds or more and feel healthy.

Incentive: Donors can receive free movie tickets when they participate in blood drives at the West Manchester Mall on Thursday and Friday from noon to 6 p.m. and on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

When the Red Cross holds drives at the mall, the Regal West Manchester Stadium 13 movie theater often partners with them to offer free movie tickets as an extra incentive, Guise said.

To schedule an appointment for a blood drive near you, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org.

-- Reach Chelsea at 505-5432 or cshank@yorkdispatch.com

Blood drives

York County blood drives in July and their locations:

---Wednesday: York Chapter House, 724 S. George St., York, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

---Thursday: West Manchester Mall, 1800 Loucks Road, yellow entrance, noon to 6 p.m.

---Friday: West Manchester Mall, noon to 6 p.m.

---Saturday: West Manchester Mall, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Stillmeadow Church of the Nazarene, 400 Stillmeadow Lane, York, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

---Monday: York Chapter House, 2 to 8 p.m.

---July 10: Chapel Church, 3050 Cape Horn Road, Red Lion, 3 to 7:30 p.m.; Dover Community, 3700 Davidsburg Road, Dover, 3 to 8 p.m.

---July 11: Lowe's, 2449 E. Market St., Springettsbury Township, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

---July 14: Friendship Community Church, 3380 Fox Run Road, Dover, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Bob Evans, 1125 Carlisle Road, West Manchester Township, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

---July 17: York Chapter House , 2 to 8 p.m., double red drive only; Springettsbury Fire Department, 3013 E. Market St., 2 to 8 p.m.

---July 22: York Chapter House, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., O and B blood types drive.

---July 23: York Chapter House, 2 to 8 p.m.

---July 26: Hampton Inn, 1550 Mount Zion Road, Springettsbury Township, noon to 6 p.m.

---July 27: West Manchester Mall, noon to 6 p.m.; Church of Latter-day Saints, 2100 Hollywood Drive, York Township, noon to 6 p.m.

---July 28: York Chapter House, 7:30 a.m. to noon.

---July 29: York Chapter House, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., O and B blood types drive.