We’re thrilled to share that Joe Condon, founder and volunteer with Early Onset Parkinson’s Disease Ireland (EOPD.ie), has been shortlisted for Volunteer of the Year by Volunteer Ireland!

When Joe was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2011, there were no dedicated supports or peer networks for people living with Early Onset Parkinson’s (EOPD) in Ireland. Rather than accept that isolation, Joe turned his experience into action — founding EOPD.ie, the first organisation in Ireland dedicated to supporting, connecting, and advocating for people diagnosed with Parkinson’s at a younger age.

Through his leadership, vision, and compassion, Joe helped transform a small peer network into a strong national voice. Among his many achievements, he championed the Community Grant Scheme for People with Parkinson’s, which has supported local exercise classes, social groups, and wellness initiatives across Ireland. These community projects have improved wellbeing and created vital connections for those living with Parkinson’s — the very connections Joe once had to build for himself.

As one nominator beautifully put it:

“His impact reaches from hospital wards to radio studios, from government offices to the homes of individuals newly diagnosed and frightened about their future. Every life he touches is changed by his empathy, his courage, and his belief that together, people with Parkinson’s can create a more understanding, inclusive Ireland.”

We couldn’t be prouder to see Joe recognised for his incredible dedication and the lasting impact he’s made on the Parkinson’s community. 💙