Australian singer and television presenter David Campbell has provided a heartfelt update on the health of his close friend, the beloved comedian Magda Szubanski, following her shock cancer diagnosis earlier this year.
An Update on Magda's Spirits and Treatment
Speaking to The Sydney Morning Herald this week, Campbell shared that Szubanski is drawing immense strength from the wave of public support she has received. 'Magda is really receiving everyone's goodwill,' he stated. 'I think that's the thing that's been keeping her going. Certainly, she's been getting it from our family, but also from the nation.' Szubanski, who is godmother to Campbell's 10-year-old daughter Betty, is undergoing treatment for a rare and aggressive form of cancer known as Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL), which she publicly revealed in May.
Family, Humour, and Facing the Diagnosis
Campbell and his wife, Lisa Hewitt, have spoken openly about how they have navigated the difficult news with their children, taking a direct and age-appropriate approach. 'Betty's nearly 11. I think that if she was much younger, it'd be much harder,' Campbell explained. They have focused on the positive, telling their daughter exactly what Magda told the public: that she is unwell but is surrounded by an incredible medical team in Melbourne.
Both Lisa and David emphasised that Szubanski's legendary sense of humour has been a beacon throughout her ordeal. 'She 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 shared on the Stellar podcast Something to Talk About.
Campbell added that laughter remains a cornerstone of their friendship, even now. 'She laughs at herself. And she made us laugh at the cancer with her,' he said. 'And they say laughter is the best medicine. It's kind of true. It does make people feel better.'
The Initial Diagnosis and Medical Protocol
In May, Szubanski bravely announced her diagnosis in a video posted to social media, where she appeared with a shaved head in anticipation of hair loss from treatment. 'I have just been diagnosed with a very rare, very aggressive, very serious lymphoma,' she told her followers. 'It is one of the nasty ones, unfortunately.'
She was quick to highlight the positives, however, praising her support network and world-class medical care in Australia, particularly in Melbourne. The comedian confirmed she had begun a specific treatment regimen called the Nordic protocol, which combats MCL by shrinking tumours using a combination of drugs administered in five distinct phases.
Despite the confronting nature of her illness, Szubanski expressed hope, noting that new treatments are continually being developed. Her friends and family, led by figures like David Campbell, continue to rally around her, celebrating her strength and the healing power of connection and laughter during this challenging time.
