Kota Kinabalu: The annual Expedition Mount Kinabalu has contributed nearly RM100,000 to the Sabah Women and Children’s Hospital (HWKKS) and helped establish Malaysia’s first Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD)-specific multidisciplinary clinic, underscoring the event’s growing impact beyond adventure tourism.
The achievements were highlighted during the flag-off of the 14th Annual Expedition Mount Kinabalu 2026 at Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort and Spa on Saturday.
Organised by Coalition Duchenne, the annual climb raises awareness and funds for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a rare and fatal genetic disorder that primarily affects boys. Since its inception, the expedition has attracted more than 700 climbers from around the world.
In a speech delivered on behalf of Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin by Sabah Tourism Board Chief Executive Officer Julinus Jeffrey Jimit, the State Government commended the initiative for demonstrating how tourism can create meaningful social impact.
Jafry said the expedition has become more than a climb up Mount Kinabalu, bringing together participants from different countries and backgrounds to support families affected by Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
“We are honoured that Sabah continues to serve as the home of this remarkable global movement,” he said.
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He added that tourism is not only about showcasing beautiful destinations but also about connecting people, fostering understanding and creating positive change within communities.
Jafry said the State Government supports responsible tourism initiatives that promote conservation, community well-being and meaningful visitor experiences.
He also welcomed the second annual Duchenne Family Workshop, to be held in Sabah next week, which will bring together families, caregivers, healthcare professionals and advocates to strengthen support networks, encourage knowledge-sharing and improve care for patients.
The Minister paid tribute to Coalition Duchenne founder Catherine Jayasuriya, a Sabahan from Penampang now based in California, for transforming a personal mission into an internationally recognised movement.
He described Mount Kinabalu as a symbol of Sabah’s identity, heritage and resilience, saying Catherine’s enduring connection to the mountain continues to inspire her work in raising global awareness of the disease.
Coalition Duchenne said the organisation has also helped establish Malaysia’s first Duchenne-specific multidisciplinary clinic and introduced the annual Duchenne Sabah family workshop in collaboration with HWKKS.
This year’s expedition also comes at a significant time for the global Duchenne community, with deramiocel, a cell therapy partly supported through Coalition Duchenne’s early research funding, approaching a key review by the United States Food and Drug Administration.
Catherine said the progress marked a dramatic shift since the organisation was founded in 2011.
“When we founded Coalition Duchenne in 2011, there were no treatments in sight. Now we have treatments that could change the trajectory of this disease,” she said.
She is also returning to Sabah with a film crew to begin production of a new documentary, a follow-up to her 2013 film Dusty’s Trail: Summit of Borneo, focusing on perseverance and the lives of young men living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Founded in 2011 by Catherine and her son, Dusty Brandom, Coalition Duchenne supports underserved families through its Duchenne Without Borders initiative by providing wheelchairs, BiPAP machines, Ambu bags, care education and advocacy in Malaysia and several other countries.
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