Last U.S. Iron-Lung Polio Survivor Martha Lillard Dies at 78

Last U.S. Iron-Lung Polio Survivor Martha Lillard Dies at 78

Health

Martha Lillard, the last known U. S. polio survivor who relied on an iron lung, died in Oklahoma at age 78, with chronic pulmonary failure and post-polio syndrome listed as causes, AP News reported. She had lived with the effects of post-polio syndrome for decades after contracting the disease as a child.

Lillard was recognized as the final American patient still using the bulky negative-pressure ventilator that became a symbol of the 1950s polio epidemic. Her sister, Cindy McVey, told Yahoo News Canada that Lillard remained resilient despite her health challenges. McVey added that the loss underscores the danger of declining vaccination rates, urging the public to maintain immunization programs.

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July 14, 2026
1 total
Last U.S. Polio Survivor Who Relied on an Iron Lung Dies at 78
Last U.S. Polio Survivor Who Relied on an Iron Lung Dies at 78

Yahoo News Canada • 14 Jul 02:20

Martha Lillard, the final known U.S. polio patient to use an iron lung, died at 78; her sister recalled her resilience and warned against declining vaccination rates.

Credibility 72% Manip. 35% Left
July 12, 2026
1 total
Last American Iron Lung User, Polio Survivor Martha Lillard, Dies at 78
Last American Iron Lung User, Polio Survivor Martha Lillard, Dies at 78

Fox News • 12 Jul 01:09

Martha Lillard, the final U.S. resident who relied on an iron lung after contracting polio as a child, died in Oklahoma at age 78 from chronic pulmonary failure and post-polio syndrome.

Credibility 72% Manip. 8% Center
July 11, 2026
3 total
Last U.S. Polio Patient Who Used an Iron Lung Dies at 78
Last U.S. Polio Patient Who Used an Iron Lung Dies at 78

CNN • 11 Jul 16:00

Martha Lillard, the final American who relied on an iron lung for polio-related breathing support, died on June 26 in Oklahoma at age 78, with chronic pulmonary failure and post-polio syndrome listed as causes.

Credibility 72% Manip. 9% Center
Last U.S. Polio Survivor Dependent on Iron Lung Dies at 78
Last U.S. Polio Survivor Dependent on Iron Lung Dies at 78

New York Post • 11 Jul 04:15

Martha Lillard, the final American polio patient who relied on an iron lung, died on June 26 in Oklahoma at age 78, with chronic pulmonary failure and post-polio syndrome listed as causes.

Credibility 68% Manip. 8% Center
Last U.S. Polio Survivor Using Iron Lung Dies at 78
Last U.S. Polio Survivor Using Iron Lung Dies at 78

AP News • 11 Jul 00:58

Martha Lillard, the final American polio patient who relied on an iron lung, died in Oklahoma at age 78, with chronic pulmonary failure and post-polio syndrome listed as causes.

Credibility 78% Manip. 9% Center

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