Local college student makes stem cell donation to complete stranger

(GREENSBURG, Ind.) – A Purdue student from Greensburg recently gave a lifesaving donation to a complete stranger. 

When Abe Tebbe was a college freshman, he registered to be a stem cell donor and took part in a simple cheek swab. 

Fast forward a few years later, he received a phone call that he was a match. 

The 21-year-old had to get a physical and three shots every day before the day of the donation to boost his stem cell count. 

The donation took place on July 22 and Abe still doesn’t know much about the recipient. 

“I know she’s a middle-aged woman with blood cancer. That is all I know,” Tebbe said. 

As part of the program, Tebbe and the recipient will have the opportunity to meet each other a year from now. 

The donation was made through NMDP, formally known as Be The Match, which is a nonprofit organization that oversees the National Marrow Donor registry.

Tebbe initially registered because he saw the impact of cancer personally in his family. His cousin had Lymphoma a few years ago and is now cured. 

“It’s pretty cool to help someone, knowing that my cousin potentially could have needed it, and hopefully this will help the person just like he was cured,” Tebbe said. 

He encourages others to register through NMDP and says the donation and recovery process are easy. 

“NMDP sends you all the stuff you need, like the kit to swab your mouth, and you may get chosen or you may never get chosen,” he said. 

Tebbe is now a junior at Purdue University and is majoring in turf management. His goal is to work at a golf course following graduation.