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Martha Lillard, last US polio patient using iron lung, dies at 78 in Oklahoma
Summary by Sugar Land News Editorial Desk · Byline on the source page: Jennifer Sinco Keleher, Associated Press , as published by KPRC 2 Houston (NBC / Click2Houston)
· July 11, 2026
· 1 min read
Photo: KPRC 2 Houston (NBC / Click2Houston) · view original
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Summary created by Sugar Land News Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Byline on source page Jennifer Sinco Keleher, Associated Press, as published by KPRC 2 Houston (NBC / Click2Houston) 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 related to long-haul COVID-19, with a death certificate listing chronic pulmonary failure and post-polio syndrome as causes. Martha Lillard was 78 years old when she died in Oklahoma.
A woman who relied on an iron lung due to a childhood polio diagnosis has passed away. Martha Lillard was 78 years old when she died in Oklahoma. Her sister reported that Lillard's death was related to long-haul COVID-19, with a death certificate listing chronic pulmonary failure and post-polio syndrome as causes.
Lillard was diagnosed with polio at the age of 5 and used the iron lung to breathe. Despite initial predictions that she would not live past 20, Lillard persevered and made the most of her life. Further details about her life and passing are available from the source.
The community can learn more about Martha Lillard's remarkable story through additional reporting from KPRC 2 Houston.
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KPRC 2 Houston (NBC / Click2Houston) reported and published this story. Sugar Land 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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As published by KPRC 2 Houston (NBC / Click2Houston) . Sugar Land News selects stories from publishers’ feeds, summarises them, and links back to the publisher that reported them. We add no reporting of our own. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KPRC 2 Houston (NBC / Click2Houston) . Have a tip or correction? Contact the editor .
Category: News ·
Published: July 11, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 Houston (NBC / Click2Houston) ·
Reading time: 1 min
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A woman who relied on an iron lung due to a childhood polio diagnosis has passed away. Martha Lillard was 78 years old when she died in Oklahoma. Her sister reported that Lillard's death was related…
When was this published? This article was first published on July 11, 2026 by KPRC 2 Houston (NBC / Click2Houston) and curated for Sugar Land News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Jennifer Sinco Keleher, Associated Press at KPRC 2 Houston (NBC / Click2Houston). To learn more about how Sugar Land News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more News coverage from Sugar Land News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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