Who is Martha Lillard? Last US polio patient using iron lung, dies at 78 - Check cause of death
Published on: July 11, 2026, 11:08 a.m. | Source: The Economic Times
Martha Lillard, the last American to use an iron lung, has died at seventy-eight. She contracted polio as a child, which necessitated lifelong breathing assistance. Lillard pursued education and lived independently despite severe physical limitations. Her health declined significantly after contracting COVID-19 twice during the pandemic. Her life highlights polio's impact and the importance of vaccinations.
