Raquel Welch: Sexy on her 65th Birthday, Donates One Million in Wigs to Cancer Victims

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Most people receive presents on their birthday, but still-hot RAQUEL WELCH, who celebrates her 65th birthday on Monday, Sept. 5, decided she would do just the opposite. To celebrate her special day, the Golden Globe®-winning actress has donated $1 million worth of her Hair U Wear wigs to the American Cancer Society for women who are losing their tresses to chemotherapy.

The idea was born when Raquel received a call from a 30-year-old cousin, who was losing her hair and needed help. Raquel sent her a couple of wigs and received a positive response. That led to her involvement with the American Cancer Society.

"When a woman gets into this kind of life-threatening situation, there is apparently a deep resource that comes to the surface and the morale, the attitude, the spirit of these women is amazing," Raquel tells ET at a makeover session with several cancer patients. "It is something that is very enriching for me to be around. I don't feel sad around them; I feel inspired."

This is not the first time Raquel has worked with the American Cancer Society, and her work has taught her that there is a psychological aspect to healing: If you feel good about yourself and positive in spirit, it affects your physical being, as well.

"I have been bald for a long time now," says HEATHER, who has had cancer on and off for 11 years. "You feel like a boy and you don't have your femininity. Putting on these wigs and getting this makeover is an extraordinary thing. It makes us feel really good, really pretty. I didn't realize [a wig] could change how I feel that much."

With the sex symbol label having been attached to her from the beginning of her career, Raquel knows how important looks are -- and maintaining them isn't easy.

"Yoga helps your skin and hormones and when you're over 50 that is a big deal. The weight training helps the osteoporosis and you need the strength, otherwise you lose the tone. Don't obsess about aging, but make the good fight nonetheless."

That said, Raquel isn't hiding the fact that she is 65.

"I started telling my age when I was 40," Raquel admits. "It seemed like a good idea at the time, but it's a big no-no in Hollywood. I think it has cost me a fair amount of parts. I could lie. I could get away with saying I'm a lot younger than I am, but on the other hand, I need to feel good about myself. I don't want a monkey on my back saying I'm not okay, I'm not attractive, I'm not desirable as a woman just because I am a certain number."

For more with Raquel Welch, tune in to ET.