Leanna Scaglione running after brain surgery

From Brain Surgery to NYC Marathon: The Inspiring Journey of Leanna Scaglione

Leanna Scaglione, a 32-year-old former ballerina from New York’s Upper East Side, is proving that resilience has no limits. Less than a year after undergoing major brain tumor surgery, she’s preparing to run the 2025 NYC Marathon — with a bold goal of finishing in under four hours.

Overcoming a Life-Changing Brain Surgery

In January, Scaglione had a tumor removed from her brain. The complex operation left her deaf in her right ear and temporarily paralyzed on one side of her face. For weeks, she couldn’t even walk across the room, let alone dream of running.

“This is my redemption ride,” she told the NY Post. “It was the hardest surgery I’ve ever been through. But the only thing I kept asking my doctor was: Can I run again?”

Diagnosed with Neurofibromatosis at Age 15

Scaglione’s battle with her health began long before this. At age 15, doctors discovered a tumor the size of a grapefruit on her lower spine. She was diagnosed with neurofibromatosis, a rare and incurable genetic disorder that causes tumors to grow along nerves throughout the body.

After two major surgeries, she spent a year in a wheelchair and was told she would never dance again. But she refused to give up. “I would never allow my illness to define my life,” she said.

13 Tumors Removed — and Still Running

Since then, Leanna has had 13 tumors removed from her spine, wrists, and brain. She discovered running during the pandemic as a way to escape lockdown isolation. Though she feared nerve damage, she pushed through — and ended up running her first mile.

“I was shocked and proud. I had to try again.”

Running for a Cause: Children’s Tumor Foundation

Scaglione now runs to raise awareness and funds for the Children’s Tumor Foundation. Last year, she participated in the NYC Marathon but was forced to walk much of it due to a brain tumor that had affected her balance and hearing.

In January, surgeons removed the tumor and placed an auditory brain implant to help with voice recognition. Since then, she’s trained intensely for a comeback.

Marathon Comeback & Future Races

On Sunday, Leanna will return to the New York City Marathon with a mission: to cross the finish line in less than 4 hours. She’s already registered for the London, Berlin, and NYC Marathons in 2025 as a national ambassador for the Children’s Tumor Foundation.

“Doing these races is a physical way to say, ‘I survived. I’m still here. I can keep going.’ This diagnosis doesn’t define us. Life doesn’t stop. We just roll.”

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I had brain surgery in January, now I’m running the NYC marathon