Imagine auctioning something as precious as your remaining time. That’s precisely what 32-year-old Australian Emily Lahey is doing. Diagnosed with a rare and aggressive cancer known as NUT carcinoma, which typically has a prognosis of six to nine months, Emily is transforming a challenging situation into a powerful mission to raise awareness and funds for cancer research.

This weekend in Sydney, Emily is presenting a performance art piece called “Time to Live,” where she is auctioning off portions of her remaining time to strangers. Visitors can purchase three-minute blocks of her time to sit with her, converse, or simply share a quiet moment. As each three-minute segment is displayed on a large screen, it highlights the fleeting nature of time, especially for someone with a terminal illness.

The experience aims to be both emotional and thought-provoking. The funds raised from each interaction will go directly to cancer research, but for Emily, the initiative is about more than just financial support. It’s a way to spark discussions about the value of time and the realities faced by those with terminal conditions.

Emily’s cancer journey began unexpectedly. Leading a healthy and active lifestyle, she never anticipated a cancer diagnosis. What began with routine symptoms like headaches and sinus issues took a devastating turn when she started losing vision in one eye. A large mass in her sinuses and skull was discovered, roughly the size of a cricket ball.

“I never thought cancer was a possibility,” she told 7NEWS.com.au, reflecting on her previous routine of running 5-10 kilometers daily before her diagnosis at 27.

Standard chemotherapy treatments proved ineffective for this rare cancer, leaving her medical team with difficult decisions. Genetic testing revealed potential hope through BET inhibitors, an experimental treatment, though Emily had to wait until her condition worsened to qualify for access through a government program.

“This has given me precious extra time that I never thought I’d have,” she shared with Australian news. “My family and I are incredibly thankful for this opportunity.”

While the future remains uncertain, and doctors cannot predict how much time she has left, Emily approaches each day with a new perspective. “It’s like being on a rollercoaster,” she says. “Everything comes and goes in waves. There were times when I couldn’t imagine making it through the next day. But as time goes on, I’m finding strength to look towards the end of the year.”

Emily Lahey’s story and her performance art piece serve as a poignant reminder to cherish every moment and support ongoing cancer research.