Maria Rovers remembers watching her son Sean fight for his life at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.

“I was hesitant about whether I should buy myself something to eat because my husband had lost his job at the time,” said Maria, a mother of four sons. “And then Sean’s social worker came in, gave me money and told me to get something to eat.”

“The kindness someone showed me that day had a lasting impact on my life,” the Bethel Park resident continued, “and I’m happy to be able to return the favor by giving back to help other families who are currently in the same situation I was when Sean was battling cancer.”

Sean was diagnosed with a rare brain tumor, a type of CNS sarcoma called intracranial myxoid mesenchymal, in 2017 at age 9. On October 24, he underwent his first surgery for his brain tumor. The tumor recurred, requiring a second surgery and radiation.

Throughout all his medical procedures, Sean continued to smile.

He and his mother decided to put a smile on other families’ faces by starting Smiles From Sean, an organization that focuses on bringing joy to the faces of children with health issues.

Courtesy of Maria Rovers

Pam Tiano (left), Sean Rovers, Maria Rovers (with photo by Kaylee Kruise) and Sharilyn Oravetz pose for a photo at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh in 2023.

Each year they offer help through an Easter basket project, filling colorful baskets with toys, gift cards and love. They also hold a coin drive each May to raise money for the UPMC Children’s Hospital Foundation. The concept is based on the idea that every penny counts.

Since 2019 – there was no coin collection in 2020 due to the pandemic – they have raised a total of more than $25,000.

This year’s check presentation took place on August 12th at the Lawrenceville Hospital.

“It’s rare to come across a family that deals with brain cancer so positively and is so committed to helping others,” said Dr. James Felker, assistant professor in the pediatric neuro-oncology program at UPMC Children’s. “Sean and his family have always tried to help other families who have gone through similar experiences, and we are extremely grateful for their help.”

The idea for the coin collection came from then-Neil Armstrong Middle School principal Kenny Patterson and Maria Rovers. Helping count the coins were Tracy Barzan and her son Jack, who will start eleventh grade with Sean on August 29 when the school year begins.

“We have been with Sean on this journey,” Tracy said. “What this money does for these families is priceless.”

She learned this first-hand when Jack had to undergo surgery at the children’s hospital and she was given a meal voucher.

“It made me feel like I was in the hospital with my child,” she said. “I spoke to one of Jack’s nurses who had donated toys to the Easter basket fundraiser. It’s an incredible feeling to help others and teach our children to get involved in organizations like Smiles From Sean. It’s an invaluable lesson in compassion and charity.”

Courtesy of Maria Rovers

Sharilyn Oravetz (left), Jackie Besser, Sean Rovers, Maria Rovers and Shane Rovers (front) hold a check for the UPMC Children’s Hospital Foundation in 2022.

Sharilyn Oravetz, a teacher at Bethel Park Independence Middle School, invited Sean to speak to her students during lunch. Oravetz worked with the National Junior Honor Society of seventh and eighth graders to help watch the money, for which they received volunteer hours. One of the students came up with the idea of ​​throwing a pie in a teacher’s face, using shaving cream in a can for anyone who donated $5.

On the day of the check presentation, the daughter of Neil Armstrong teacher Jackie Besser was in the hospital for an operation. Besser left her daughter’s room for a few minutes to attend the presentation.

“Sean has a very special place in my heart,” Besser said. “He and I have often talked about never giving up.”

Courtesy of Maria Rovers

Twice cancer survivor Sean Rovers of Bethel Park poses with a donation check for the UPMC Children’s Hospital Foundation presented at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh in Lawrenceville. The money, raised through a 2021 coin drive by the nonprofit organization Smiles From Sean, helps families with sick children.

It’s Sean’s never-give-up attitude that everyone notices.

“It was a nice feeling to be able to help other children with medical treatment because I was in their situation once and the help we received from others changed my life and that of my family,” said 16-year-old Sean. “People I don’t even know put a smile on my face when I was fighting for my life and now I want to return the favor by putting a smile on the faces of other children who are fighting their own battles.”

Eileen Wallace, a certified school nurse and supervisor for the Bethel Park School District, has been a part of Sean’s medical journey.

“Sean and Maria are incredible,” Wallace said. “From the first day I met Maria, she always wanted to give back because so many people have helped her since Sean’s diagnosis. I’ve watched him grow into a wonderful young man. He is truly a miracle.”

Courtesy of Maria Rovers

Maria Rovers of Bethel Park poses with a donation check for the UPMC Children’s Hospital Foundation presented at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh in Lawrenceville. The money, raised in 2019 through a coin drive by the nonprofit organization Smiles From Sean, helps families with sick children.

The money was raised in May through coin drives in the Bethel Park School District – including through the Bethel Park Interact Club, an intramural organization that participates in fundraising and community service – and through Blair County school districts for the Sean Rovers and Kaylee Kruise Smiles Fund. Evey’s Hardware in Bethel Park and Krah Family Dentistry in Peters donated.

The connection between Sean and Kaylee, who lived in Altoona, was formed while they were undergoing treatment for brain cancer. The two shared the same December birthday. Kaylee died in February 2021. The fund was renamed to honor her memory.

The money will be used to cover incidental costs for children and families receiving medical care at the hospital, with a focus on residents of Blair County, where Kaylee attended school, and patients at UPMC Children’s South Fayette, where Sean Rovers was treated.

“Looking back over the last five years, I am overwhelmed by the support and very, very grateful to everyone who supports our Smiles From Sean project, especially my team, the Bethel Park school administration, the teachers and staff, the students and parents,” said Maria Rovers. “It felt good to see the end result that allowed me to raise this money despite the challenges my family and members of my team face behind the scenes.”