The LEAP Award
The LEAP Award
LEAP stands for Living, Encouraging, Achieving and Persisting. The award is presented to an individual who is age 14 or older living positively with mitochondrial disease. The Awardee overcomes daily challenges to achieve goals in career, family, and volunteer service. The individual demonstrates a positive attitude, hope for a brighter future, and an enthusiasm that inspires others.
LEAP stands for Living, Encouraging, Achieving and Persisting. The award is presented to an individual who is age 14 or older living positively with mitochondrial disease. The Awardee overcomes daily challenges to achieve goals in career, family, and volunteer service. The individual demonstrates a positive attitude, hope for a brighter future, and an enthusiasm that inspires others.
The UMDF is proud to present the 2026 LEAP Award to Chelsea Newberry, a UMDF Support Ambassador, a devoted advocate, and a long-time supporter of the broader mitochondrial disease community.
Throughout the years, Chelsea has been an exceptional and dependable source of peer support for many within the UMDF community. In addition to navigating her own journey with mitochondrial disease, she has also faced a cancer diagnosis over the past year, resulting in additional serious and ongoing health challenges.
Despite these circumstances, Chelsea continues to be a steady presence of warmth, encouragement, and compassion for everyone she encounters. She is consistently willing to listen, share resources, and ensure that others feel seen, heard, and supported. Her deep commitment to elevating every voice has been an invaluable asset to UMDF and inspired her to launch her podcast, Expressed – Where Rare Disease Meets Molecular Truth, where she continues to amplify stories and perspectives across the rare disease space.
Chelsea’s determination, resilience, empathy, and thoughtfulness are evident in all that she does. She embodies every aspect of the LEAP Award, and we are honored to recognize her contributions and grateful for the light she brings to our community.
Previous LEAP Awardees
Thomas Barsook 2025
Jared Goettemoeller 2024
Tricia Melland 2023
Debbie Parsons 2022
Lily Finnigan 2021
Holmes Family 2020
Melissa Kieffer 2019
Andy Garrison 2018
Michael Malecha 2017
Bethany Stamper 2016
Chelsea Lloyd 2015
Devin Shuman 2014
Cynthia Steward 2013
Rachael Pipp 2012
Porsha Williams 2011
Desiree McGowen 2010
Perri Miologos 2009
Theresa Garvin 2008
Jamieson Smith 2007
Pam Johnson 2006
Alice Adams 2005
Kevin Shelly 2004