Another year toasting teal

The Totally Teal Toast bar crawl is ramping up its goals in its third year of raising awareness and funds to fight ovarian cancer, and the three local sisters who started it hope at least 100 participants will tip their glasses for the cause on Feb. 22.

By Brandon Macz • February 6, 2014 5:07 pm
Totally Teal Toast attendees pose with drinks and prizes at the 2013 event. The Totally Teal Toast 2014 bar crawl is Feb. 22.
Totally Teal Toast attendees pose with drinks and prizes at the 2013 event. The Totally Teal Toast 2014 bar crawl is Feb. 22.

The Totally Teal Toast bar crawl is ramping up its goals in its third year of raising awareness and funds to fight ovarian cancer, and the three local sisters who started it hope at least 100 participants will tip their glasses for the cause on Feb. 22.

Started in 2012 by Jessica Shane, Corinne Cope and Jackelyn Immel to support the work being done by the Marsha Rivkin Center for Ovarian Cancer Research, the sisters say they got involved after they lost a second aunt to the disease, followed by a neighbor who also lost a fight with Stage 4 ovarian cancer.

“We went, ‘Whoa, why is this happening so quickly,’ and what we realized was there just isn’t a lot of information out there about ovarian cancer,” said Cope, a Bellevue resident, adding they were surprised their friends were also unaware of the symptoms and risks of the disease. “We decided that a bar crawl would be the best venue to get them to listen, something that’s fun and not so sad, but also to share information.”

Totally Teal Toast grew last year to 85 participants from 60 in 2012.

“This year we’re thinking we’ll get over 100,” said Cope, “which is why this year we went with some bigger bars to accommodate some more people.”

Participants will begin the night with a toast 1:30 p.m. Feb. 22 at Lot 3 in Bellevue, continuing to Earls, The Parlor and Suite Lounge for more drinks. Cope said $50 for four drinks in Bellevue, the chance to win various prizes and support a good cause is a great deal. Prizes include Woodinville whiskey and gift certificates for the Bellevue Collection.

Prizes will also be awarded for the best costume, with Totally Teal Toast continuing its 80’s theme, said Cope, recalling one man dressing up as Slash from the popular rock group, Guns N’ Roses.

“At the time, 80’s was kind of coming back,” she said. “It just kind of stuck, and people try to one up each other every year and we don’t want to mess with that.”

Find out more about Totally Teal Toast and the Marsha Rivkin Center for Ovarian Cancer Research at their respective Facebook pages and at totallytealtoast.com and marsharivkin.org.