The Alzheimer’s Association will team with 23 Baltimore Metro area churches to present Alzheimer’s Awareness Purple Sunday on Oct. 30.

Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake is honorary chairwoman.

The event will be held at a number of churches, including at Epworth United Methodist Chapel, 3317 Saint Lukes Lane.

It will inform families touched by Alzheimer’s disease about supportive services and educate the community about early warning signs and the detection of Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia.

“Our goal is to help connect families who are caring for someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia and don’t know about the Alzheimer’s Association, as well as to reach those who aren’t affected to teach them about risk factors that could contribute to the disease,” said Cass Naugle, executive director of the Alzheimer’s Association Greater Maryland Chapter.

To show their support for Alzheimer’s awareness, church members are encouraged to wear purple, the signature color of the Alzheimer’s Association. Pastors and church leaders will provide educational materials and encourage members to become involved in the movement to end Alzheimer’s.

Additionally, the Alzheimer’s Association will distribute brochures about its free conference—The Pythias A. and Virginia I. Jones African American Community Forum on Memory Loss, which will take place Nov. 5, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at Coppin State University.

The Forum is intended to inform the community about memory loss, to support caregivers, to share the promise of research, and to advise on how to get involved to help conquer this disease.

In addition to health screenings and exhibits, it will feature a panel discussion of individuals impacted by dementia, as well as presentations about caregiver issues and community resources for people with dementia.

For more information about Alzheimer’s Awareness Purple Sunday and The Pythias A. and Virginia Jones African American Community Forum on Memory Loss, visit the Alzheimer’s Association website, or call 410-561-9099.

The Alzheimer’s Association, the world leader in Alzheimer’s research and support, is the first and largest voluntary health organization dedicated to finding prevention methods, treatments and an eventual cure for Alzheimer’s.

For more than 30 years, the donor-supported, not-for-profit organization has provided reliable information and care consultation; created supportive services for families; increased funding for dementia research, and influenced public policy changes.