Time to Live: A Terminal Exhibition

For people to know what it’s like to run out of time, they have to feel what it’s like to run out of time.

It can’t be earned. It can’t be saved. It can’t be regained once it's gone. It’s the most valuable thing we have.

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.

Meet Emily Lahey

“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."

About the exhibition

Each person will be going through the experience individually, one person at a time so you won’t be able to book for multiples.

The experience will last around 10 minutes but please allow for time before and after your allotted time.

Due to the limited number of tickets, applications for tickets will be assessed and you will be notified if you have been successful in securing tickets via email w/c Monday 5th August. If you are not able to make your allotted time, please notify us via events@acrf.com.au as early as possible so we can reassign your ticket.

Watch the experience

The location – Bay 20 Carriageworks Sydney, 245 Wilson St, Eveleigh NSW 2015.

Access to the venue is possible via:
• Train: Carriageworks is easily accessible by train. Walk eight minutes from Redfern Station, ten minutes from Macdonaldtown Station or 15 minutes from Newtown Station.

• Bus: Bus routes 422, 423, 426, 428, 370, 352 stop on City Road at Codrington Street, a five minute walk from Carriageworks.

• Car: Limited on-site parking is available at the end of Carriageworks Way. Enter via 229 Wilson Street. We encourage taking public transport when possible.

Please note the Carriageworks Farmers Markets run each Saturday from 8am – 1pm so this may impact your visit and access during these times.

“For 40 years, ACRF has been funding only the most bold and innovative scientific research. That which has the ability to change the meaning of cancer diagnoses for future generations. But there’s still a long way to go. We hope this idea helps highlight the continued need to keep backing brilliant research that could give those impacted by cancer, like Emily and her loved ones, the gift of the most precious thing we all have – time.”

– Carly Du Toit, General Manager, Fundraising and Marketing, ACRF

Because when it’s gone, it’s gone.

Donate now