Beloved Australian comedian Magda Szubanski has received an outpouring of support from fellow Australians after sharing her diagnosis of an “obscure” cancer.
The iconic Kath and Kim star disclosed that she has stage-four mantle cell lymphoma, describing it as a “rare and aggressive blood cancer.”
Szubanski made her diagnosis public in an Instagram post where she shaved her head in preparation for her treatment, acknowledging that her hair would soon fall out.
In her characteristic upbeat manner, the 64-year-old maintained a positive attitude throughout her video, even laughing and joking as she faced this challenging news.
“I won’t sugar-coat it, it’s tough,” she stated about her diagnosis. “But I remain hopeful. Surrounded by the love of friends and family, supported by an exceptional medical team, I have never felt more cared for.”
Mantle cell lymphoma affects the outer edge – or mantle zone – of B-cells in the lymph node follicle, according to the Leukemia Foundation. It represents about five to 10% of all non-Hodgkin lymphomas, with the average age of diagnosis falling between 60 and 65 years.
Former Australian of the Year Grace Tame and television presenter Lisa Wilkinson were among the many who sent their well-wishes to Szubanski following her announcement.
“Sending you all the love in the world and warm, immuno-safe virtual hugs,” Tame expressed, while Wilkinson reassured the comedian that all of Australia stands behind her in this battle.
Other notable figures, including New Zealand actor Sir Sam Neill, entertainers Rove McManus, Peter Helliar, and Julia Zemiro, as well as model Megan Gale and singer Dannii Minogue, also reached out with messages of love and support.
Szubanski shared that she would be taking a step back while her immune system undergoes treatment. “I’ve been feeling pretty terrible for a while. So I requested additional tests, and here we are,” she wrote. “The important takeaway is to get tested and pay attention to your body.”
Recognized for her role as the lovable, athletically challenged Sharon Strzelecki in Kath and Kim, Szubanski has captured the hearts of Australians with performances in hit films like Babe and Happy Feet (and their sequels).
Her career took off in the mid-1980s when she was discovered by ABC talent scouts during a university revue. Szubanski’s credits include sketch shows like Fast Forward and the critically acclaimed Big Girl’s Blouse, as well as collaborations with Kath and Kim co-writers Gina Riley and Jane Turner.
As a vocal advocate for marriage equality, Szubanski publicly came out as gay in 2012. She leveraged her platform to campaign for a yes vote in the 2017 Australian same-sex marriage referendum, appearing on programs like the ABC’s Q&A and delivering a powerful address at the National Press Club.
