Masterpieces for a Mission to honor Olivia Sergot and support the fight against childhood cancer

Olivia Sergot’s impact was immediate and undeniable, said her good friend Ali Benedetto.

When Sergot died in 2021 following a battle with pediatric cancer, Benedetto said, the grief hit close loved ones as well as new acquaintances.

“When she was sick, there was so much support around her and her family from people from all walks of life,” Benedetto said. “She had friends everywhere. She has really powerful character.

“She came and visited me in college my freshman year, all my friends there who met her once or twice were just as hurt as anyone when she passed away. She made such an impact on their life just from meeting them once.”

Sergot, a Kenilworth resident and New Trier High School graduate, meant so much to so many that Benedetto and friends thought it appropriate to celebrate her life and impact during a fundraiser from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 29, at Sunset Ridge Country Club in Northfield.

The event, Masterpieces for a Mission, will feature a silent auction with original art from local artists, as well as prints of Sergot’s works. All proceeds benefit Cal’s Angels, an organization Sergot was involved with that grants wishes, raises awareness and funds research to help children fighting cancer.

“This is something where it’s great to remember her and really makes a difference and help solve the mission she has and Cal’s Angels has that helps fight cancer for younger kids,” Benedetto said. “… Yes, it’s great to keep her memory alive but we also want to stop this from happening to other people, so in the best way we can, we’re going to try and get closer to that goal.”

Born in Evanston, Sergot and her family returned to the North Shore in 2017, when she began attending New Trier and participated in dance and business programs. She was diagnosed with Wilms tumor, a rare childhood cancer, in 2018 to initiate a three-year fight.

She graduated NTHS in 2020 and matriculated to Texas Christian University. She joined the Pi Beta Phi sorority. But for medical reasons, Sergot had to return home during her freshman and sophomore years, and she died on Dec. 29, 2021, at the age of 19.

“It sounds so cliche but she was literally an angel,” Bendetto said. “These types of things always happen to the best people. Her energy was so contagious. You just wanted to be around her. She had this amazing, giant smile and the best laugh ever.”

Tickets to Masterpieces for a Mission in honor of Sergot are $50, and can be purchased online. Donations are also accepted on the webpage. The event will include a cash bar, appetizers and live music from local favorite the Chris Karabas Band.

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