Sean Rovers and Kaylee Kruise met during radiation treatments for brain cancer at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh in Lawrenceville.

They endured many of the same experiences, from IVs and blood tests to operations and pain.

It was during their time there the youngsters discovered they shared a birthday — Dec. 23.

Rovers was born in 2007. Kruise was born in 2009.

The upcoming one will be tough for Rovers, who turns 14. Kruise fought bravely against the disease. She died on Feb. 12, 2021.

She was 11 years old.

“It’s not fair,” said Rovers, an eighth grader at Independence Middle School in Bethel Park School District.

“It isn’t,” said Rovers’ mother, Maria. “Cancer robbed Kaylee from us. I believe we were meant to meet Kaylee. We are committed to doing everything we can to honor Kaylee’s memory and make sure she is never forgotten.”

Sean Rovers said one of his fondest memories of his friend was when his family visited her at her Altoona home.

It is difficult for Sean Rovers to talk about Kruise. He tries to keep moving forward, because she would want him to. Sean Rovers and his mother created Smiles from Sean, an organization that creates kits for ill children. It started with smiley face pillows, and now contains bright yellow bears and other items to help brighten the day of youngsters undergoing medical treatment.

They send out kits all year long and will begin fundraising after Christmas to collect for the Easter kits.

Smiles from Sean donated a check for $7,100 to the Child Life Department Fund at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. The money was raised with help of the Bethel Park Interact Club, an organization that participates in fundraising and community service projects, and via coin collections at the Bethel Park School District and surrounding community, local businesses and the Rotary of Upper St. Clair-Bethel Park.

“Usually when you are in the hospital, it’s a stressful time, but this is a happy day,” said senior Sarah Goldenberg, vice-president of the Interact Club on the day they donated the money. “We love how passionate Sean is about putting smiles on other people’s faces.”

Junior Melina Stewart said Sean Rovers brings an energy to the group. She said he is an inspiration.

“We are happy to give this money because it can help other kids,” said Sean Rovers. “I know how it feels to be in the hospital a lot and it’s hard. I want to help other kids smile.

Maria Rovers said the long-range goal is to continue to grow and help fund cancer research.

Sean Rovers was diagnosed Oct. 22, 2017, at age 9 with a rare brain tumor. His cancer is a type of CNS Sarcoma called intracranial myxoid mesenchymal. He had his first brain tumor resection on Oct. 24 and was in the hospital for two weeks. The tumor recurred, requiring a second surgery and radiation.

Sean Rovers will have an MRI this month. The surgeries have affected his brain function, his mother said.

“We still hope for a miracle,” Maria Rovers said. “We are doing everything possible to help him reach his full potential.”

“Sean and his family are a beacon of hope for all of our families struggling with pediatric cancer,” said Dr. James Felker, assistant professor, pediatric neuro-oncology program, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh via email. “They show you can get through the unimaginable, come through the other side smiling and giving back. We are eternally grateful to them for their support of our program.”

Maria Rovers said the minute she met Kruise’s mom, Melissa, they connected.

“We each knew what the other was going through,” said Maria Rovers. “Knowing someone understands helps you get through the tough times. I’m sure Kaylee is looking down with a smile knowing Sean is still here and getting to talk about their cancer journey story. I hope other families will be inspired by their story. We want people to always remember Kaylee.”

Smiles from Sean collaborated with Kruise’s foundation Caring for Kaylee to purchase power wheels – toy cars that kids ride — and gift cards for the patients in the oncology department who are receiving medical care there.

They needed new power wheels because the old ones were wearing down. Sean Rovers and Kruise used to ride the cars when they were there for treatment.

“My heart is broken,” Melissa Kruise said. “It means a lot that Sean included us in the power wheels and gift card donations to the hospital. If we can help these children and lessen the burden of cancer by giving them some joy, then that will mean a lot to us. I love that he and Kaylee share the same birthday. They will forever be connected.”

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