The holidays have officially arrived and Cancer Navigators is once again celebrating its annual Holiday Ball.

This is a bona fide “non-event.” That’s because, as the invitation from the board of directors states, “You will not have to mingle with people you barely recognize. You will not have to hire a babysitter, buy a fancy outfit to appear in or travel after dark. We would just like you to Have a Ball at home!”

The idea is that instead of attending a big fancy gala, folks can instead donate the money they would spend on such a night.

Cancer Navigators has begun mailing out hundreds of commemorative ornaments — its annual “Holiday Ball.” The 2012 event is in memory of Wesley Johnson, a founding board member and community stalwart who lost his battle with cancer this year.

“Cancer has impacted our family and so many others and that is why Cancer Navigators was so special to Wesley,” reads a special message included with this year’s ornament that bears his name. “We are touched to see him honored with this year’s commemorative ornament. Please know that it comes with wishes from his family for a Christmas filled with joy and love,”

The keepsake ornament comes in an informative wrap about Cancer Navigators’ mission of reassurance, resources and renewal for local cancer patients.

Also included in the invitation to the non-event Holiday Ball is a donor card that recipients can return with a donation. For $75 you can designate yourself as an “attendee.” For $150, you can be an “honored guest.” For $250 or more, you can be the “life of the party.”

Cancer Navigators Executive Director Charlotte Atkins said the annual Holiday Ball is one of the organization’s two major fundraisers of the year.

“This is a joyful way to kick off the season, by encouraging people to stay home and enjoy the holidays with their loved ones and to contribute to making cancer patients’ journeys more manageable,” she said.

Those not on the mailing list who would like to make a donation and receive an ornament may contact Cancer Navigators at 706-295-4119 or by email at sbattle@cancernavigatorsga.org

Donations to Cancer Navigators Inc. are tax-deductible and serve cancer patients in the local community.