What if you could see, hear and feel the minutes of your life, or the life of someone you loved, slipping away? With cancer remaining a leading cause of death in Australia, tens of thousands are faced with this reality every day.
On Saturday 17th August, Australian Cancer Research Foundation held the Time to Live exhibition. A raw, intimate and once-in-a-lifetime experience where a woman with a terminal diagnosis auctioned 3-minute pieces of her remaining time to raise awareness for cancer research.
A profoundly human and fleeting one-on-one encounter that offered a unique opportunity to grasp the emotional and psychological weight of living with, or being connected to someone with, a terminal diagnosis.
Whilst the exhibition is over, ACRF’s work, and Emily’s mission are far from done. Research plays a fundamental role in changing the outcomes for people diagnosed with cancer and you can be a part of that by supporting ACRF.
“Hi, I’m Emily Lahey. I was diagnosed with a rare and incurable cancer at just 27 years old. I live every day with the knowledge that I won’t ever be in remission, cured or cancer free. At present, I have no known treatment options remaining if and when my current treatment becomes ineffective.
I hope this exhibit reminds us all of the preciousness of time, while highlighting the importance of supporting research that could give more time for others with aggressive cancer diagnoses."
Each person went through the experience individually, one at a time, which meant it wasn’t possible to book for multiple people simultaneously. This approach ensured that each participant had a personal and uninterrupted session, allowing for a more focused and immersive experience.
The experience itself lasted approximately 10 minutes. However, participants were asked to arrive early and allow additional time afterward, as there were preparations needed before entering and a brief period to wrap up and reflect once it was over.
"Because when it's gone, it's gone." - Emily