What are your odds of:

• Winning the Powerball lottery — 1 in 175 million per ticket.

• Being the victim of a plane crash — 1 in 11 million.

• Being the victim of a shark attack — 1 in 3.7 million.

• Being impacted by cancer — 1 in four.

Some odds are just too good.

Statistics indicate 5,700-plus Prince Edward County residents will be impacted by cancer in their lifetime. That certainly requires the community to do what it can to soften the effects of cancer, and, hopefully, eradicate it.

That’s at least 5,700 reasons why we, the American Cancer Society, are bringing back the Relay For Life of Farmville this year. Relay For Life is the world’s largest fundraising event to fight every cancer in every community. Each year, more than 4 million Relay For Life participants around the world rally communities to celebrate those who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost and take action to fight back.

I need your help, Farmville. You’ll be seeing my face in your community throughout the year working to build this new Relay For Life event, but I can’t do it alone. I need volunteers to help with the logistical planning; volunteers to help get their friends and families to register; individuals to help fundraise in the community; and businesses to sponsor Relay For Life. All of this will ensure a successful event and more money going towards research and the free programs and services the American Cancer Society offers.

An informational interest meeting will be held Monday at Charleys Waterfront Café. The meeting is open to anyone and everyone who wants to get involved with Relay For Life of Farmville in any way possible. Bring your neighbors, friends and family members. We will talk about what Relay For Life is, the history of Relay For Life in Prince Edward County, how you can get involved and more.

Can’t make the meeting? That’s OK! Reach out to me and we can discuss how you can get involved. Still on the fence about getting involved? Then think about how cancer has affected you so far in your lifetime. Maybe you’re a survivor; maybe you’re a caregiver; maybe your cousin’s neighbor’s best friend is a survivor. It’s 2016 and I can almost bet we all have been affected by cancer in one way or another.

I hope to see you at our meeting on Monday at 6 p.m. at Charleys Waterfront Café; and if not, I’ll see you around town.

Stefanie Mardar is the community manager for Relay For Life of Farmville. Her email address is Stefanie.Mardar@cancer.org