"This has been wonderful:" American Girl Fashion Show benefits Children's Hospital's pediatric neuroscience department

MILWAUKEE -- Children in southeastern Wisconsin need your help. An overwhelming number of children are having problems with their nervous system, and receive treatment at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin. More than 1,500 girls and their families, friends and favorite American Girl dolls took part in a fundraiser -- with all proceeds benefiting Children's Hospital's pediatric neuroscience department. The goal this year was to raise $100,000.

The fundraiser was held for the PNUT Fund (Pediatric Neurosciences Unite Together). Last year, more than $52,000 was raised.

On Sunday, October 4th, young models walked the runway in beautiful outfits unique to the American girl doll it was inspired by. It was an effort to not only raise money, but to put smiles on the faces of children dealing with serious health issues.

"This has been wonderful," Colleen McGlocklin said.

"Just being able to have these girls here -- they can have fun, get their hair done, get their doll's hair done, buy new clothes for their dolls," Kayleigh McGlocklin said.

The American Girl Fashion Show was put on to help children like Kayleigh McGlocklin. She and her younger sister Alannah were diagnosed with Chiari Malformation -- a serious neurological disorder where the bottom part of the brain (the cerebellum) descends out of the skull and crowds the spinal cord, putting pressure on both the brain and the spine -- causing many symptoms.

"We have been on a path with them since 2012 -- several surgeries. We are so thankful to our neuroscience department helping us along that road and finding solutions for our girls to get them healthy and pain free again," Colleen McGlocklin said.

Colleen and Shannon McGlocklin helped organize this event in an effort to give back -- and raise money for kids in need.

"The reason we are doing that is to raise money for the PNUT Fund (Pediatric Neurosciences Unite Together) at Children`s Hospital of Wisconsin. What we are raising money for is equipment and different technology," Colleen McGlocklin said.

"There`s a desperate need for research," Dr. Kurt Hecox, a pediatric neurologist at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin.

"It`s just amazing. It`s only the second year -- but I hope we can keep doing this," Colleen McGlocklin said.

CLICK HERE to learn more about the PNUT Fund or to make a donation.