Mayor Mark Johnson presented a city proclamation at the council meeting declaring January 2026 Blood Donor Awareness Month, saying volunteer donors are essential to hospitals and local health care systems. The proclamation cited a national statistic that "every 2 seconds, someone in the United States requires a blood transfusion," and called on residents, businesses and organizations to participate in donation efforts.

Michael Everson, who identified himself as a local parent, spoke after the proclamation and described his 3-year-old child's cancer diagnosis and treatment. "She's had 84 blood and platelet transfusions," Everson said, describing repeated rounds of chemotherapy, surgeries and the difficulty of obtaining compatible blood during treatment. He thanked council members and local donors, and urged anyone who can to donate: "I'm so happy and so thankful for the council for bringing to life the need for blood and for the people... who gave their time so she could continue treatment and stay alive." (Michael Everson, Resident/Parent.)

Billy Wheels, president and CEO of The Blood Center, told the council that regular donation could prevent shortages. "Take a few minutes out of your life every day and donate blood," Wheels said, adding that if everyone who gave once a year gave twice, "we could avert most blood shortages." Wheels, who noted decades of experience at the Blood Center and long residency in Covington, thanked donors and volunteers for their contributions.

The proclamation designates January 2026 for local awareness and asks city organizations to promote donation drives. The council did not take formal additional action in the meeting notes on implementing drives; city staff and The Blood Center were cited as partners in outreach. The council's next regular meeting was announced for Tuesday, Jan. 13.

Ending: The proclamation is intended as a public awareness measure; the Blood Center and local volunteers were urged to coordinate upcoming donation events with city staff.