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World championship women’s Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) promotion Invicta Fighting Championships has partnered with Kansas City-based Hope House, a non-profit shelter and service for victims of domestic violence, in order to provide both moral and financial aid for those who have suffered, and to support National Domestic Violence Awareness Month that is observed annually in October.

To kick off its “Knock Out Domestic Violence” campaign, Invicta FC has added to its online store a catalog of new Knock Out Domestic Violence and Invicta FC co-branded merchandise. All proceeds from the sale of the merchandise will be donated to Hope House.

Additionally, Invicta FC is calling on all fans to wear clothing bearing the color purple, a traditional symbol of strength and courage and the theme color for National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, while attending its live event at Memorial Hall in Kansas City on Saturday, Oct. 6 or while watching the live, free-of-charge stream of the event.

“The foundation of Invicta FC is a collection of women who are empowered as a result of physical and mental training they experience in martial arts, so this partnership is a means of reaching out through Hope House, an incredibly devoted vehicle, to those who have had traumatic experiences and could benefit from the comfort and support of our athletes and our organization,” said Invicta FC President Shannon Knapp.

“Hope House is pleased to partner with Invicta FC” said CEO, MaryAnne Metheny, “an organization dedicated to empowering women feels like the right match for us.” “Our goal for women entering our services is to help work through their issues. With time, support, encouragement and a helping hand, it’s amazing what transformations can take place. Once on their feet again, they are able to thrive on their own and feel that sense of empowerment.”

Hope House (www.hopehouse.net) works with more than 10,000 survivors of domestic violence annually. Together, it’s two secure locations in the Kansas City area feature a shelter that can house as many as 122 women and children as well as a family care center, therapy space, administrative offices and community training facilities.

Since 1987, National Domestic Violence Awareness Month has been observed annually with three goals in mind – to mourn those who have died as a result of domestic violence, to celebrate those who have survived and to connect those who work to end violence.

In 1989, Congress passed Public Law 101-112 designating October of that year as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Such legislation has been passed every year since.

Tickets for Invicta FC 3: Penne vs. Sugiyama, priced from $25, are on sale at Memorial Hall box office (913-549-4853), online at Ticketmaster.com and InvictaFC.com and by phone at (800-745-3000). Doors at Memorial Hall open at 5 p.m. CST and the first preliminary bout will begin at 6 p.m. CST.

The live stream of the event on InvictaFC.com will begin at 7 p.m. EST/4 p.m. PST with the event’s six-bout preliminary card and continue with the eight-bout main card.