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

Thursday, January 11, 2024 at 10:02 AM

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.

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