The Marty Lyons Foundation was established in 1982 to fulfill the special wishes of children chronologically aged three (3) and seventeen (17) years old, who have been diagnosed as having a terminal or life threatening illness by providing and arranging special wish requests. Marty Lyons was a professional football player in the National Football League, where he served for twelve years as a premiere defensive lineman for the New York Jets. The Marty Lyons Foundation has kept hope alive in the hearts of children with a terminal or life threatening illness by making their special wish come true! A fulfilled special wish has the ability to sweep the children and their family away from the daily heartache of illness. It is a joyous time that creates a wonderful memory and a better quality of life. Every child has a dream, and although we can’t promise a lifetime of happiness to these seriously ill children, we can make one dream a reality!