DAYTON, OHIO — It has been nearly 20 years since Wilmington donor Jillian Schuster summoned the courage “to get over my fear of needles” and make her first donation at a Sinclair College blood drive. The journey to her milestone 100th lifetime donation Aug. 28 at the Solvita Dayton Center began became more earnest last year when she began donating platelets to honor her father.

“My dad had cancer, and I found out platelets were needed for cancer patients,” said Schuster. “I wanted to replace the supply he might need, so I switched over to platelets. He never needed them, unfortunately.”

Her father, Robert Seaver, died in January of 2023. Seaver lived in Wilmington and worked in Dayton, where he was a loyal donor at the Solvita Dayton Center (formerly Community Blood Center). He had 79 lifetime donations, the equivalent of nearly 10 gallons.

Schuster said his illness inspired her to set the goal of 100 donations.

“I have been planning this since my dad’s biopsy in October 2022,” she said. “I planned it out because my dad was a blood donor. One of his biggest regrets was he didn’t get his (Donor for Life 100 LTD) jacket. So, I planned to get mine.”

The family legacy of donating now extends to a new generation.

“I still have issues with needles, but I didn’t want to pass that on to my son!” she said. “He’s a donor himself. He started at 16. He’s a student at Ohio State and he still comes here when he’s home to donate.”

Schedule a blood donation with Solvita (formerly Community Blood Center) on the Donor Time app, by calling (937) 461-3220, or at www.donortime.com. Walk-ins are welcome at the Solvita Dayton Center, 349 S. Main St.