Beloved Australian actress Magda Szubanski, best known for her iconic roles in Kath & Kim and the Babe films, has shared an emotional update from her hospital bed while undergoing treatment for stage-four mantle cell lymphoma, a rare and aggressive form of blood cancer.
In a heartfelt Instagram video, the 64-year-old star appeared smiling despite her fatigue, hooked up to hospital monitors as she delivered a touching message to a young fan. “This is a special shout-out to Annabella,” she said softly, referring to a 10-year-old from Adelaide who had dressed as Sharon Strzelecki—Szubanski’s beloved, netball-obsessed character—for Book Week. “Thank you so much for your impression of Sharon Strzelecki. I’m in here having chemo, and it really cheered me up. That was such a beautiful thing to do. Thank you, my sweet. Lots of love to you.”
Her caption beneath the post was simple but powerful: “Chemo is smacking me around right now.” It was an honest glimpse into the uphill battle she’s facing, revealing both her vulnerability and her signature strength.
Earlier this year, Szubanski publicly revealed her diagnosis, explaining that doctors discovered the cancer “incidentally” during a breast screening when they noticed swollen lymph nodes. “It’s one of the nasty ones, unfortunately,” she shared, adding that she had shaved her head in preparation for chemotherapy.
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