Letter to the Editor: 

My name is Kelly Polinski, and I’ve lived in Upton since 2018 with my husband and our two children. Like many families here, our days are shaped by juggling school schedules, sports practices, early mornings, late nights, and the constant balancing act of work, family, and everything in between. If you’re out and about, you might see me walking my dog or running along the familiar roads and hills that make Upton feel like home.

This April, I’ll be running the Boston Marathon—a long-time goal of mine—and many of my training miles happen right here in town. The reality of marathon training is fairly mundane: it’s about consistency, accountability, and showing up even when motivation is low. I do it for myself, but I also do it for a bigger purpose, one that makes showing up on hard days a little easier.

I’m running in support of DetectTogether, a local nonprofit focused on early cancer detection. Both my grandmother and my mother were diagnosed with the same type of cancer, which means I am now considered high-risk myself. That knowledge can be unsettling, but it has also been empowering. It has shaped how I approach my own health and strengthened my resolve to advocate for the importance of early detection and awareness.

Running has become one way I process the reality of my cancer risk—by choosing something hard, something constructive, and something that reminds me of my own strength. It’s a way to take what feels uncertain and turn it into forward motion. Through this effort, I hope to help give others the same advantage I’ve been given. DetectTogether teaches people how to recognize early warning signs of cancer so they can seek care sooner and significantly improve their chances of survival.

What has made this journey especially meaningful is doing it within this community. From quick waves during runs, to words of encouragement at school events, to support from local businesses, the encouragement I’ve felt here has been deeply grounding. Upton is a place where people notice one another, where community is built quietly through shared effort and mutual support.

When I cross the finish line in Boston, this story will have been shaped mile by mile here at home. No matter how the race unfolds, Upton will remain an integral part of the journey. For those who feel moved to support this effort, all donations to DetectTogether help advance early cancer detection and education.

  Kelly Polinski, Upton