In a recent study at the University of Michigan's Institute for Social Research, Stephanie Brown followed 423 elderly couples for five years. She asked them whether they helped friends, neighbors, or relatives with housework, child care, errands, transportation, or other necessities, and how much they could count on help from friends or family. During the course of the study, 134 of the subjects died.

"There is evidence to suggest that individuals with a fighting spirit survive longer with cancer than individuals who feel helpless or less optimistic about their chances for survival. Now it seems that the same may be true of a giving spirit." Stephanie Brown

From "Mortal Lessons: Givers Live Longer than Receivers" by Stephanie Brown at Spirituality and Health