The annual Marty Lyons golf fundraiser took place at Bethpage State Park on Tuesday.

For nearly 40 years, Lyons, a former Jets great, has dedicated his life to helping terminally ill children. The golf outing has always been the biggest event for his foundation.

Tuesday’s 35th installment of the event featured some familiar faces and former athletes, including Long Island’s own Julius Erving, aka “Dr. J.”

“This is an institution,” said Erving. “Marty is a great guy. He’s benevolent and his foundation is second to none.”

Lyons said he appreciates the support his foundation’s event gets with each passing year.

“The foundation may have my name on it, but every one of these people – they come back year in and year out,” he said. “It’s their foundation. They're willing to spend their money, their energy so these wishes are fulfilled. You can’t say thank you enough…All of us can make a difference.”

Lyons has granted more than 8,000 wishes through his foundation and raised more than $35 million.