The Leadership Award

The Stanley A. Davis Leadership Award

The Stanley A. Davis Leadership Award recognizes a UMDF leader who exemplifies dedication to the mission of the UMDF. The award was created to honor the dedication and work of the late UMDF Chairman, Stanley A. Davis.

\The Stanley A. Davis Award is the most prestigious UMDF National Award, honoring a volunteer leader who exemplifies the selfless dedication and unwavering commitment to UMDF’s mission, reflecting the legacy of its namesake, UMDF’s late Chairman, Stanley A. Davis.

The 2026 Stanley A. Davis Award is proudly presented to Mito Mom Aneesa, a devoted mother to son Jeremiah, who lives with Thymidine kinase 2 deficiency (TK2d), a UMDF Ambassador, and a powerful voice and fierce advocate for the mitochondrial disease community.

Aneesa’s commitment is not only evident in what she does but in the way she shows up every day. As a mother navigating TK2d alongside her son Jeremiah, she has turned deeply personal moments into a source of awareness, connection, and hope for others. Through her social media platforms, her story reaches hundreds of thousands and she invites the world into her lived experience with honesty and courage, helping others understand the realities of TK2d while building a community rooted in compassion.

Among the many highlights of her service are:

  • Serving as a peer reviewer for the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program that helps allocate and fund research programs – including mitochondrial disease – for the Department of Defense.
  • Participating in a Patient Listening Session with the FDA.
  • Serving on the Patient and Family Advisory Council at the University of South Carolina.
  • Starting her own foundation, The Jeremiah Gracen TK2D Foundation.
  • Becoming a published author with the book “Tell Me, Teach Me, Is it TK2D?”
  • Her biggest accomplishment, however, was still to come. In November 2025, after years of development, the FDA approved the first therapeutic for TK2d, providing a much-needed therapeutic option to patients.

“He went from being limp to being spunky and full of life,” said Aneesa about the role the new therapy has played in her son’s life. “But it’s not just about Jeremiah. The approval, to me, is a form of hope people can now see. In the past, it was something they dreamed of.”

Through every role she takes on, Aneesa leads with authenticity, strength, and love. Her impact is profound, her voice is essential, and her dedication embodies the very spirit of the Stanley A. Davis Award.

Previous Stanely A. Davis Leadership Awardees

Paul Lore 2025
David Keane 2024
Sharon Shaw  2023
Patrick Kelly 2022
Howard & Ann Korsen 2021
Joy Krumdiack 2020
Lissa Poincenot 2019
Gail Wehling 2018
Carrie Mullin 2017
Dan Wright 2016
Cheryl Porter 2015
Victoria Helms 2014
Jennifer Schwartzott 2013
Cherie Lawson 2013
Norma Gibson 2012
Christy Koury 2011
Patricia Charleston 2010
Lisa Arnold 2009
Chris Swinn 2008