💖 Overwhelmed by Support Amid Stage 4 Cancer Battle “I Thought I’d Face This Alone — But You All Showed Up.”
— Magda Szubanski shares a deeply emotional message, thanking everyone who has stood by her after her diagnosis.
Her words of resilience and bravery shine through, a powerful reminder of the extraordinary strength found in love and community 😔👉 Read the full heartfelt message below 👇
💖 Overwhelmed by Support Amid Stage 4 Cancer Battle: “I Thought I’d Face This Alone — But You All Showed Up”
In a deeply moving update that has touched hearts across Australia this Christmas season, beloved comedian and actress Magda Szubanski has opened up about the overwhelming wave of love and support pouring in since her stage 4 cancer diagnosis earlier this year. The 64-year-old icon, best known for her unforgettable roles in Kath & Kim, Babe, and countless sketch comedy classics, has repeatedly expressed profound gratitude, revealing how the nation’s kindness has become her lifeline during one of the toughest battles of her life.
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Szubanski first shared her shocking diagnosis in May 2025 via an emotional Instagram video, announcing she had been diagnosed with mantle cell lymphoma—a rare, aggressive, and fast-moving form of blood cancer that had reached stage 4. Discovered incidentally during a routine breast screening when swollen lymph nodes were detected, the news came as a bolt from the blue. “I won’t sugar-coat it: it’s rough,” she candidly told her followers, while shaving her head in anticipation of chemotherapy hair loss. Yet even then, she struck a note of hope: “New treatments keep coming down the pipeline constantly,” and she was starting the highly regarded Nordic protocol, combining intensive chemotherapy and immunotherapy.
Since that announcement, Magda has been undergoing treatment in Melbourne, where she praises the “world-class care” from her medical team. She has kept fans updated with raw honesty blended with her trademark humour—sharing hospital bed videos, chemo “smackin’ me around” moments, and light-hearted revelations about her iconic characters.
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But it’s the outpouring of support that has truly moved her. In June, shortly after her diagnosis went public, Szubanski posted a tearful thank-you video: “Hello my darlings, I just wanted to say a massive thank you for all the love and support. It’s just been so moving and, really, youse are the wind beneath my wings.” She admitted the messages had lifted her spirits immeasurably, echoing a sentiment that resonates with the headline’s essence: facing what she feared might be a solitary fight, only to discover an entire nation rallying behind her.
This theme of unexpected solidarity shone brightest during her induction into the Logies Hall of Fame in August 2025. Unable to attend in person due to treatment, Magda delivered a pre-recorded speech that brought the audience to tears. “The love and support that I have felt, like a tsunami from the Australian public, it has been overwhelming and I have to tell you, it really helps,” she said, voice cracking with emotion. “When I go online and look at those messages, every time, my heart lifts. And I feel that much stronger to deal with the cancer.” She joked about the honour not being “because I have got the cancer” but for “40 years of hard work – lobbying, bribing, threatening, whatever it took,” drawing laughter amid the sobs.
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Close friends like TV host David Campbell and his wife Lisa have shared insights into Magda’s resilience. In recent interviews, including one just days ago on December 22, Campbell described how the national goodwill is “keeping her going.” “She laughs at everything. She laughs at us. She laughs at herself. And she made us laugh at the cancer with her,” he said, calling laughter “the best medicine.” As godmother to their daughter Betty, Magda remains a beacon of light in their family, surrounded by love despite the challenges.
Fans have shown up in creative ways too—a young girl dressing as Sharon Strzelecki for Book Week prompted a hospital-bed shoutout from Magda: “Chemo is smacking me around right now and you really cheered me up.” Gifts like a book of messages from the LGBTQIA+ community, compiled by Equality Australia, have also warmed her heart.
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Mantle cell lymphoma, accounting for 5-10% of non-Hodgkin lymphomas, is treatable even at stage 4, with protocols like Nordic offering hope for long-term remission. Experts note advancements continue, aligning with Magda’s optimistic outlook.
This Christmas 2025, as Australia reflects on joy and togetherness, Magda Szubanski’s journey reminds us of the power of community. From celebrities like Nigella Lawson and Dawn French sending love, to everyday Aussies flooding her socials with encouragement, the support has transformed her battle. “I thought I’d face this alone—but you all showed up,” her words seem to say, a testament to resilience, bravery, and the extraordinary strength found in love.
Magda’s spirit endures, inspiring a nation. Here’s to more laughter, more healing, and more moments of gratitude in the year ahead.
