Magda Szubanski has shared a touching update from her hospital bed, thanking a young fan for lifting her spirits during chemotherapy.
The beloved Australian comedian and Kath & Kim star, who is undergoing treatment for stage 4 Mantle Cell Lymphoma, posted a video message to Instagram expressing her gratitude to 10-year-old Annabella Willis from South Australia.
“This is a special shoutout to little ten-year-old Annabella Willis,” Szubanski said in the clip. “I just wanted to say darling thank you so much for your impressionation of Sharon Strzelecki.”
The young girl had dressed up as Szubanski’s iconic netball-loving character for Book Week – a tribute that moved the actor deeply.
“I’m in here having chemo and it really cheered me up,” she said.
“I’m very touched and that was a beautiful thing to do. Thank you my sweet. Lots of love to you, bye now and lots of love to you all.”
Wearing a hospital gown and resting in bed, Szubanski recorded the heartfelt message during what she described as a tough time.
“Chemo smackin’ me around right now,” she admitted in her caption. “And you really cheered me up. Bless you my darlin.”
In May, Szubanski revealed she had been diagnosed with stage 4 Mantle Cell Lymphoma – a rare and aggressive blood cancer – and shared her health update with fans on Instagram.
“It’s serious, but I’ve started one of the best treatments available… and I’m lucky to be getting absolutely world-class care here in Melbourne,” she said at the time.
“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.”
Since going public with her diagnosis, Szubanski says she has been overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support from those around her and the wider Australian public.
Last month, she was inducted into the Logies Hall of Fame for her decades-long contribution to Australian media.
Although she could not attend in person, she accepted the honour with an emotional video message, expressing her gratitude to fans.
“The love and support that I have felt, like a tsunami, from the Australian public, it has been overwhelming,” she said, wiping away tears.
“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.”
Images: Instagram
