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Martha Lillard, last US polio patient using iron lung, dies at 78 in Oklahoma
Summary by Tomball News Editorial Desk · Byline on the source page: Jennifer Sinco Keleher, Associated Press , as published by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC)
· July 11, 2026
· 1 min read
Photo: KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) · view original
Story provenance No corrections
Summary created by Tomball News Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Byline on source page Jennifer Sinco Keleher, Associated Press, as published by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) Original story Read at the source Source published Jul 11, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
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Key points Her sister reported that Lillard's death was attributed to chronic pulmonary failure and post-polio syndrome, with long-haul COVID-19 also being a factor. The woman, Martha Lillard, was diagnosed with polio at the age of 5 and used the iron lung to breathe.
A woman who relied on an iron lung due to polio has passed away in Oklahoma. She was 78 years old at the time of her death. The woman, Martha Lillard, was diagnosed with polio at the age of 5 and used the iron lung to breathe.
Her sister reported that Lillard's death was attributed to chronic pulmonary failure and post-polio syndrome, with long-haul COVID-19 also being a factor. Lillard's life was marked by her determination to make the most of her circumstances, despite being told she wouldn't live past 20.
Further details about Lillard's life and passing are available from the source, including her daily routine and adaptations she made to cope with her condition.
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KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) reported and published this story. Tomball News selected it, summarised the key facts above, and links to the original. We did not report this story and we added no reporting of our own to it.
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Category: News ·
Published: July 11, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) ·
Reading time: 1 min
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A woman who relied on an iron lung due to polio has passed away in Oklahoma. She was 78 years old at the time of her death. The woman, Martha Lillard, was diagnosed with polio at the age of 5 and…
When was this published? This article was first published on July 11, 2026 by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) and curated for Tomball News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Jennifer Sinco Keleher, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC). To learn more about how Tomball News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more News coverage from Tomball News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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