Facing a hysterectomy at age 36 after a decade-long battle with uterine fibroids, Deonna Wylie turned her pain into purpose.

The Cola Rosé Shower was born, transforming Williams-Brice Stadium into a sea of pink dedicated to women’s health awareness.

“Today and tonight is all about creating a sisterhood, creating a community wherever you are on your women’s healthcare journey,” Wylie said. “Whether it is infertility, menopause, endometriosis, fibroids or cancer, today is about coming together, uniting and creating a space where women are seen, heard and celebrated.”

There were drinks, there was party attire – and there was pink. Although under construction while the University of South Carolina’s college football team is in its offseason, the stadium’s Traditions Club space was decked out in pink decorations and pumping out party music all evening long.

The event was inspired by Wylie’s health struggles. Trying multiple unsuccessful treatments for her fibroids ultimately led to her decision to undergo a hysterectomy.

“It affected everything in my life, to the point where I had amazing doctors, where they had all the experience in the book,” Wylie said. “(But) I realized that women’s healthcare was not the priority. I felt like I was on the island by myself, and so much more challenging things did happen through it all. I wanted to kind of look at the positive and what it gave me, not necessarily what it took from me.”

Instead of a baby shower, Wylie hosted a Rosé Shower celebrating women in 2021. She asked guests to wear pink and bring feminine hygiene products to donate to the Sistercare women’s shelter and The Period Project, a national group that distributes products to girls and women in need.

Now the 5th annual Cola Rosé Shower, more than 400 guests attended the Feb. 7 event, which collected more than 62,000 feminine hygiene products.

Half of American women aged 18-64 have ongoing medical conditions, according to the 2024 KFF Women’s Health Survey. Too often, though, women suffer silently under the weight of societal expectations, Wylie said.

The message resonated with first-time attendee Coral Schadewald, who said her mother’s health challenges showed her what strength looks like.

“Watching her persevere, and seeing the support of other women around her, reinforced how important sisterhood and advocating for women’s health truly are,” Schadewald said.

The celebration blended philanthropy with fashion, food and art. Local muralist Ija Monet created a live painting, which was auctioned off to support the cause.

“It was such an honor, really, to use my talents and presence to showcase what they’re doing,” Monet said. “It’s bigger than all of us.”

Now that it’s taking donations year-round, the Cola Rosé Shower is working to grow its presence beyond the one-night event. Attendees still loved the event, though.

“Not only is it celebrating everything that has been done with the feminine care product drive throughout the month, it was just a celebration of everything they had done for that night to happen,” Monet said. “It’s just a way for all of us to congratulate one another for what we’re doing for our community.”