Residents set up GoFundMe to assist Black Mountain alderman battling pancreatic cancer

A GoFundMe campaign is raising money to assist a Black Mountain alderman in his fight for his life. 

Carlos Showers announced in the board’s October regular meeting that he had been diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer, adding that he planned to undergo treatment for the disease. 

Black Mountain residents Gary and Susan Leive created a page on the popular crowdfunding website to assist Showers and his family.

“Such a diagnosis brings great financial and emotional hardship for the family, and this fund is established to assist with Carlos’ medical bills and associated expenses,” the fundraiser’s description reads. 

Showers was elected to the board in 2009 and reelected in 2013. He was appointed by the board in 2017 to fill the seat left vacant when current mayor, Don Collins, was elected. 

Showers expressed his desire to continue to serve to the best of his abilities while undergoing treatment, which includes chemotherapy. He was absent from the board’s November regular meeting. 

The Alabama native graduated from Mars Hill College (now Mars Hill University) and worked nearly three decades at the Swannanoa Valley Youth Development Center before it closed in 2011. 

The fundraising campaign can be found at https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-carlos-win