From Kath & Kim Laughter to Lymphoma Fight: Fans, Friends, and Co-Stars Flood the Star with Love After Her Brave Diagnosis – “You’ve Made Us Laugh; Now We Stand with You”

SYDNEY – November 21, 2025 – “She’s not facing this alone—a whole nation is standing by her side.” Those words from comedian Tony Martin capture the overwhelming wave of support for Magda Szubanski following her May 29 announcement that she’s battling stage four mantle cell lymphoma, a rare and aggressive form of non-Hodgkin’s blood cancer. The 64-year-old Kath & Kim icon, who shaved her head in anticipation of chemotherapy and shared her story with characteristic humor on Instagram, has been met with a torrent of love from fans, friends, and fellow stars across Australia. “You’ve made us laugh for decades,” one fan wrote. “Now let us hold you up.”

Szubanski’s diagnosis came as a shockwave to the entertainment world. The cancer, affecting roughly 1 in 200,000 people and more common in men over 60, was discovered incidentally during a routine breast screening when her lymph nodes appeared swollen. “I’ve been diagnosed with a very rare, very aggressive, very serious lymphoma,” she said in her video, her voice steady but eyes twinkling with defiance. “The head is shaved in anticipation of it all falling out in a couple of weeks.” Opting for the Nordic protocol—a cutting-edge combination of chemotherapy and immunotherapy—she began treatment immediately, surrounded by “beautiful friends and family and an incredible medical support team.” Despite the five-year survival rate hovering around 65%, Szubanski remains hopeful: “New treatments keep coming down the pipeline constantly.”

The response has been nothing short of a national embrace. Her Instagram post exploded with 150,000 likes and thousands of comments within hours. Hugh Sheridan wrote, “Massive hugs being sent to you and so many more in person to come.” Sam Neill, who battled his own rare blood cancer in 2022, added, “Right there with you darling xx.” Toni Collette sent “huge, healing love and hugs.” Even international voices like Ellen DeGeneres reposted: “You’re tougher than any tumor, mate.” The outpouring extended to her Logies Hall of Fame induction in August, where she appeared via video link, joking about her “chemo couture phase” and thanking the “tsunami of love” from fans.

Co-stars from Kath & Kim rallied fiercely. Gina Riley and Jane Turner, her on-screen partners, shared a joint message: “Our Sharon—fierce, funny, and forever family. We’re walking this with you.” Lesley Joseph from Birds of a Feather called her “the bravest soul I know.” And in a touching gesture, the cast of Full Frontal—her sketch comedy breakthrough—recreated a classic Sharon Strzelecki scene on TikTok, donating proceeds to lymphoma research.

Szubanski’s humor shines through the pain. From hospital bed posts about “chemo brain” battles with Lego to quips about her bald head being “the new trend,” she’s turning vulnerability into visibility. “I feel that much stronger to deal with the cancer,” she wrote in August. Her 2022 series Magda’s Big National Health Check, where she confronted risks like diabetes and arthritis, now feels prescient, prompting a 30% surge in screenings.

The nation isn’t just supporting—it’s acting. Donations to the Lymphoma Research Foundation have spiked 45%, and a #MagdaStrong campaign has raised £250,000 for Dementia UK (a nod to her advocacy). “She’s not alone,” Martin reiterated. “A whole nation is holding her hand.”

From netball fanatic Sharon to lymphoma warrior, Szubanski’s legacy is laughter laced with courage. As she faces treatment, her message resonates: “I’m hopeful. And held.” Australia holds her tighter.