Singer Kellie Pickler made a splash earlier this year by appearing on the cover of Maxim in support of the U.S. troops. Now she’s showing her support for an important cause in a very different way.

Kellie’s longtime close friend Summer Holt Miller was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. So to show solidarity–and to raise awareness for the cause–Kellie and Summer shaved their heads. Their new look was revealed today (Sept. 6) on Good Morning America.

A video of the TV segment showing Kellie and Summer getting their blonde hair shaved off was posted today on Kellie’s Facebook page.

“Cancer does not discriminate,” Pickler said in a statement that was also posted on her Facebook page. Miller, who is only 35 years old, echoed the sentiment, saying that “if this compels even one person to change their mentality toward waiting until the age of 40 for their mammogram, then it will be worth it.”

Photo credit: RUSS HARRINGTON

Miller, the statement continues, “had always been super cautious with her self-examinations, but had she not been diligent with her doctor and requested a mammogram, the tumor detected in its early stage could have turned fatal. Miller recently underwent a double mastectomy and will begin chemotherapy this Thursday.”

As Kellie told her Twitter followers, the experience was “life changing.”

It’s been a great life-changing day.

— kellie pickler (@kelliepickler) September 5, 2012

Read more about Summer’s story.

- Kurt Wolff, CBS Local