Martha Lillard, last known US polio survivor using iron lung, dies aged 78
- Posted on July 12, 2026
- By The Guardian
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- 1 min read
In brief
Martha Lillard, believed to be the last American polio survivor dependent on an iron lung, passed away at 78 years old. Stricken by polio at just five years old in Oklahoma, she spent decades relying on the cylindrical breathing apparatus that became her lifeline. Her passing marks the end of an era for polio survivors who depended on this remarkable medical technology to maintain their quality of life and independence throughout the latter half of the 20th century.
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Martha Lillard, last known US polio survivor using iron lung, dies aged 78
Lillard, of Oklahoma, contracted polio when she was five and slept inside cylindrical metal device to help her breathe
