Dearborn Co. Resident Who Had Life-Saving Stem Cell Transplant Will Meet Donor Virtually

Kristie (Gilb) Bipes is two years removed from the transplant and is doing well.

Kristie's Krusaders Facebook photo.

(Guilford, Ind.) – It has been about two years since Kristie (Gilb) Bipes received a life-saving stem cell transplant.

Bipes, a lifelong Dearborn County resident, was diagnosed in May of 2019 with Myelofibrosis (MF), a condition that impacts bone marrow and the production of much needed cells.

In 2021, she went to Houston to receive a stem cell transplant through the “Be The Match” organization. Bipes was there for about four months before returning home to Guilford in February of 2022.

Her husband, Tom, tells Eagle Country 99.3 that Kristie is doing well but it is still a long recovery process that takes about five years for full recovery.

He added that Kristie was able to find out who her stem cell donor was. His name is Sam Paulson, a young man in his 20’s from the United Kingdom.

The two are scheduled to have a Skype visit on Sunday.

“I just want to give a shout out to this young man for taking the time to sign up for Be The Match and because of his unselfish act, Kris is still with us here today. The doctors at MD Anderson told me that he was a 10 out of 10 match for her. So, I want to encourage anyone that reads this to consider reaching out to Be The Match to sign up to be a donor,“ said Tom Bipes. 

For more information on Be The Match, click here.

RELATED STORIES

Lifetime Dearborn Co. Resident Set to Return Home After Life-Saving Stem Cell Transplant

Lifelong Dearborn Co. Resident Receives Stem Cell Transplant Through Be The Match Program

More from Local News

Events

Rising Sun HS Selected as Mentor As Part of Federal Grant Impacting 11,000 Rural Students

Rising Sun will help other rural high schools expand access to advanced coursework through the Rural Early College Network 2.0.

Indiana Senate Working to Lower Property Taxes

There are multiple bills that would tackle the issue.

Sip & Shop in Downtown Lawrenceburg Feb. 7

The event will support Special Olympics Indiana.

EC's Leihgeber to Play Soccer at Trine University

Leihgeber also excels in the classroom with a 4.1 GPA.

Sights and Sounds from Brody Morris Reaching 1,000 Points

The Rising Sun senior hit the milestone mark at the Rivertown Classic.

Local Sports Report - January 21, 2025

South Dearborn wins the Rivertown, and Rising Sun's Brody Morris reaches a career milestone.

On Air

Rick Bernius playing
Holly Dunn - You Really Had Me Going

Post Malone and Blake Shelton Pour Me A Drink 17:06
Fox News Fox News National Newscast 17:02
Luke Combs Where The Wild Things Are 16:58
George Strait Carried Away 16:54