The Koebernick Family’s Story
Twelve years ago, a young family arrived in Janesville under circumstances they never expected. Lauren and Josh Koebernick were new to the community, still settling into their home, and preparing to welcome their second child. Just weeks after moving, their daughter, Selah, was born six weeks prematurely. Almost immediately, they found themselves navigating the realities of the NICU, learning that Selah had chronic kidney and liver disease, and facing the overwhelming uncertainty that comes with a complex diagnosis without a local support system to lean on.
Like many families, they had heard of Ronald McDonald House but didn’t fully understand what it offered. That changed the moment they realized they were now a family with a medically fragile child who needed specialized care. Ronald McDonald House Madison became their lifeline, providing a place to stay just steps from Selah’s bedside. The experience was especially meaningful because they could stay close, rest, and gather strength for the days ahead.
As Selah grew, the family came to rely on both the Ronald McDonald House Family Room: SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital – Madison and the Ronald McDonald House: Madison itself. In the early days of the NICU and during major milestones of Selah’s medical journey, the Family Room offered a quiet space to breathe, grab a snack, or simply regroup without ever leaving the hospital floor. And as chronic care became a long-term reality, the House continued to support them during long, exhausting days of travel between Janesville and Madison for ongoing appointments.
When Selah’s condition progressed to the point where she needed a kidney transplant, Lauren and Josh approached the day with an unexpected sense of peace. They knew the Ronald McDonald House would be there for them, just as it always had been. The night before surgery, they checked into the House. For Selah, it felt like a “nice hotel”, a place where people cared for her, where meals were provided, and where the fear of the next day softened into something manageable.
As soon as she walked through the doors at Ronald McDonald House Madison, staff invited her to choose a teddy bear, and after careful consideration, she selected a bright pink bear she named CC. Over the years, doctors have guessed that CC might stand for Cotton Candy, Cupcake, or Candy Corn. The truth is, CC can stand for anything sweet, just like Selah. CC never left her side. She went into the operating room with Selah and was waiting in recovery afterward, dressed in her own tiny surgical gown with a bandage placed exactly where Selah’s incision was.
Because the Koebernicks stayed at the House the night before, they didn’t face an early-morning drive or the stress of rushing. They woke up together, rested and ready, and Selah entered her life-changing surgery feeling safe and supported.
Selah is one of six children, and Ronald McDonald House Madison played a vital role in keeping the entire family connected. Siblings often feel left behind during medical crises, as hospital rooms are not places where energetic children can spend long stretches of time. But at the House, Selah’s brothers and sisters were welcomed with open arms. They visited, played games, shared meals, and stayed connected during one of the most important moments in their sister’s life. Ronald McDonald House Madison didn’t just support one child; they supported an entire family.
Many people think of the Ronald McDonald House as a place that provides a bed during a short-term medical emergency. But for families like the Koebernicks, it’s so much more. A kidney transplant is a milestone, but it is not the end of the journey. Chronic care continues for a lifetime. Twelve years after first walking through our doors, this family continues to find comfort, nourishment, and community at Ronald McDonald House Madison.
We are honored to be their partner, not just during moments of crisis, but throughout every chapter of their daughter’s medical journey. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we can continue to provide the support, stability, and compassion that families like the Koebernicks rely on year after year. Because of you, families never have to face their hardest days alone.