Help BJ Freitag with Pancreatic Cancer Treatments

In late March of 2025, our dear friend and brother BJ Freitag was diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer. The cancer has already spread to his lungs and liver. We—his friends, family, and fellow union members—are coming together to support him through this devastating diagnosis.

BJ has been a proud member of Local 98/59 since 2002, serving as conductor, delegate, and active committee member. But more than titles, BJ has always been the kind of person who shows up—on job sites, at community events, and wherever someone needed a hand. If you’ve walked through Spokane, chances are you’ve passed a building BJ helped bring to life—projects like the Sacred Heart Children’s and Women’s Hospital additions, the Upriver Falls Condos, the Kroc Center, and Riverpark Square (ask him about the tunnels!). His favorite concrete job? Out at Kaiser Aluminum.

BJ’s commitment to others doesn’t stop at the job site. He’s volunteered for countless ramp builds and home repairs for folks in need, helped small businesses get off the ground, and even built out vans during the pandemic so people could travel for work. He’s always found a way to use his skills to lift others up.

He’s also a mentor—one of the people who makes sure the next generation of tradespeople not only knows the work, but knows they belong. BJ helped member Sloan Duncan grow into a confident journeyman and co-founder of Spokane Tradeswomen, a group he continues to support today.

What matters most to BJ these days is time with his grandkids—Harper, Bailey, Evelyn, and Coraline. Every dollar raised will help ease the financial burden of treatment, so he can focus on what truly matters: making memories with the people he loves.

If you can’t give financially, consider donating blood or platelets through Vitalant—something BJ did for years until he became ineligible.

Let’s show up for someone who’s always been there for everyone else.