“I won’t sugar-coat it: it’s rough. But I’m hopeful.”

Beloved Australian comedian and actress Magda Szubanski confirmed on May 29, 2025, that she had been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer.

She shared a video to Instagram with a lengthy caption to provide insight into her health battle.

“I’ve been diagnosed with Stage 4 Mantle Cell Lymphoma – a rare and fast-moving blood cancer,” Magda’s caption read.

“I won’t sugar-coat it: it’s rough. But I’m hopeful. I’m being lovingly cared for by friends and family, my medical team is brilliant, and I’ve never felt more held by the people around me,” it continued.

Magda also addressed her fans in the caption, asking them to respect her space now that she’s immunocompromised.

“I’ll be lying very low while my immune system takes a hammering, so if you see me out and about, don’t hug me, kiss me, or breathe anywhere near me! Wave enthusiastically from a safe distance and know I love you madly.”

In the video, Magda is sporting a shaved head and says she got rid of her hair “in anticipation of it all falling out in a few weeks.”

Friends of Magda’s were quick to comment on her post.

Carrie Bickmore wrote, “Oh babe. F**k. You’ve got this! Yelling at you now from a distance that we all love you.”

Megan Gale said, “Sending an abundance of love, hugs and strength your way Magda.”

And Edwina Bartholomew commented, “Sending hugs virtually and all the love.”

On the last day of August 2025, Magda shared an update to fans from her hospital bed. But first, she thanked a lovely young girl, Annabella Willis for her impression of iconic Sharon Strzelecki from Aussie series, Kath & Kim.

“This is a special shout-out to 10-year-old Annabella in Adelaide. Thank you so much for your impression of Sharon Strzelecki. I’m in here having chemo and it really cheered me up,” she said in the video. “I’m very touched, that was a beautiful thing to do. Thank you my sweet.”

In the caption, Magda wrote: “Chemo smackin’ me around right now and you really cheered me up. Bless you my darlin.”

In August 2025, Magda was inducted into the Logies Hall of Fame. Unfortunately, she couldn’t attend the event in person but she did share a heartwarming video.

“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,” a tearful Magda said.

“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. So thank you for the love that you are pouring my way, I really feel it.”

“I love you all. I am sure I have forgotten who to thank. Chemotherapy brain is real! What can I say? Except I love you,” she concluded.
David Campbell dressed their daughter, Betty as her God Mother’s (Magda) biggest character, Sharon Strzelecki. (Credit: Instagram)
Six months after Magda’s initial announcement, David Campbell and wife Lisa shared an update on her battle on Stellar’s Something To Talk About podcast.

“She’s talked about the fact that having that outpouring of emotion, and the support that she’s felt, has been instrumental in her getting through everything,” Lisa said. “I can’t speak for her own personal health, but she’s an incredible person, and we are so fortunate to have her in our lives.”

David added, “she laughs at us. She laughs at herself. And she made us laugh at the cancer with her. And they say laughter is the best medicine. It’s kind of true. It does make people feel better.”