Last known iron lung survivor Martha Lillard dies at 78

Martha Lillard, the last known survivor who depended on an iron lung to breathe, has died in Oklahoma at the age of 78. Her passing, which occurred in late June according to U.S. media reports, likely signals the end of an era for the iconic medical technology that symbolized the fight against polio before effective vaccines became available.

Lillard contracted polio in 1953 at age five, two years before the first vaccine was introduced in the United States. The infection permanently paralyzed much of her body and damaged her respiratory muscles. Despite her severe health challenges, her family stated on a GoFundMe page that Lillard lived an independent and creative life, pursuing painting, poetry, and piano composition.

While many polio survivors transitioned to modern ventilators, Lillard remained reliant on the iron lung. She had tried alternatives, but none provided the necessary breathing support, she told local station KFOR just days before her death. Her health had recently declined, exacerbated by long-term effects from two COVID-19 infections, her sister reported.

The maintenance of the decades-old iron lung, which Lillard reportedly used around the clock, had become increasingly difficult. Spare parts from the 1940s are scarce, and finding technicians capable of repairing the machine proved impossible, KFOR cited her sister as saying. Another prominent iron lung user, Paul Alexander, died in March 2024 at age 78, having lived with the device for over 70 years.

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I have tried various alternatives, but none have offered me the necessary support for breathing.