Oak Brook Couple Proves 'Superheroes Exist': Local Patch Heroes

OAK BROOK, IL — When times are tough, heroes emerge. We all know someone who's making a difference right now as we live through unprecedented times. Here at Patch, we've launched an initiative to help recognize these everyday heroes.

A Downers Grove resident nominated Alvaro and Jennifer Candel, from Oak Brook, as Oak Brook Patch heroes. Here's why Alvaro and Jennifer were nominated:

Where the nominees live:
Oak Brook

Where the person who nominated the hero lives:
Downers Grove

Name of the nominees:
Alvaro and Jennifer Candel

Name of the person who nominated the hero:
Lynne Kelliher

Are the nominees considered “essential workers”?:
Yes

What do the nominees do for work?:
Alvaro — Laboratory director of Elmhurst Hospital: Pathologist; Jen — physician

Why do you believe the nominees should be recognized or honored?
Al Candel had Elmhurst Hospital laboratory up and running processing COVID-19 tests within the first 3 weeks of this mess. He is humblest, hard-working guy you will ever meet. For instance, news outlets interviewed him several weeks ago about how efficiently his lab runs-- and he didn't share the interview details with his family at all; his family found out from a cousin!

Al's wife Jen Candel also deserves praise. Behind every man is a good woman--and I don't mean to sound like I'm from the 1950s at all because Jen is a Physician herself! While Al works crazy amounts of hours, she keeps their busy household and their 3 kids running---she takes care of her widowed mom--she runs errands and cares for nearly all the older folks in her neighborhood, whether that is doctor appointments or just listening. She is an amazing friend to me and many others, compassionate and a superstar.

What’s one thing you want everyone to know about your heroes?:
Superheroes exist, and I'm lucky to count these two as friends.

Thank you for all you do, Alvaro and Jennifer!

> Do YOU have a local hero you would like us to know about? Share their story here.