An Ohio State University research project indicates that the terminally ill cannot extend their lives just by trying to 'hold on' until Christmas or a special occasion. The study found there was no significant decrease in death right before Thanksgiving, Christmas and people's birthdays.

The study looked at 300,000 Ohions who died of cancer between 1989 until 2000. The results were published today in the 'Journal of the American Medical Association.'

Doctor Donn Young, one of the lead researchers in the study, said, 'The fact is, death does not keep a calendar. You can't put it in your Palm Pilot and say, 'O.K., let's have dinner on Friday and I'll pencil in death for Sunday.''

Cancer patients were chosen for the study because they were most likely to know that death was near and would therefore have the opportunity to 'hold on' more than the victims of other diseases.

Dr. Young suggested that best way to ensure that a loved one would take part in a wedding or holiday celebration would be to hold it sooner. 'If you have a family member or loved one dying, and a significant event coming up, don't take your chances - celebrate early,' he said. 'Give them a gift now.'