Pancreatic cancer claimed Steve Friedman’s life at age 58, but his legacy as a much-loved leader in the promotional products industry continues to live on.

Now, a couple friends/colleagues who were especially close with Friedman have launched a merch-driven initiative to make his memory an even bigger blessing – and Top 40 distributor BAMKO (asi/131431) has thrown its support behind the effort.

Emblazoned on the sleeve of this quarter-zip, “MYYYYY BROTHER” was Steve Friedman’s favorite fun saying. Sales of the pullover have raised money for the Cancer Wellness Center.

BAMKO’s Gary Seigel and Adam Rosenbaum created a pullover that features Friedman’s favorite fun saying – “MYYYYY BROTHER” – emblazoned on the sleeve.

Siegel and Rosenbaum have sold the quarter-zip to family and friends, initially raising more than $2,500 to be donated in Friedman’s memory to the Cancer Wellness Center, which provides programs that comfort and support individuals and families contending with the impacts of cancer.

“Adam and I wanted to do something to honor Steve; it was just a matter what that something would be,” Siegel told ASI Media. “Ultimately, we knew he would love this piece, the logo and the mission behind the project – to help others going through the same thing as Steve and his family.”

Moved by the initiative, BAMKO leaders decided to support it further by matching funds generated by the pullover sales, as well as donations made in Friedman’s name to the Cancer Wellness Center.

“We’ve built this company on a foundation of values and core principles,” said BAMKO President Jake Himelstein, a member of Counselor’s Power 50 list of promo’s most influential people. “Everything else flows from there. To see the teammates who loved Steve so dearly take the initiative to make a meaningful contribution in the fight against cancer, it’s incredibly important to who BAMKO is to be able to stand by their side and support them in those efforts.”

Steve Friedman

Friedman, who is survived by a wife and two children, had a fantastic career in promo.

He was a leading sales ace at industry powerhouse Ha-Lo (now Top 40 distributor HALO Branded Solutions [asi/356000]) before starting Tangerine Promotions in the early 2000s. As president and owner, Friedman built Tangerine into a Top 40 distributorship. BAMKO acquired Tangerine in 2017 and Friedman came aboard.

Through all his success, he remained a respected and well-liked industry peer and mentor.

“Steve was not only a business mentor, but truly a great friend,” said Siegel. “One of the most powerful things about my relationship with Steve was the way he taught me in business and in life. He taught through his actions, not his words. I miss him dearly and will continue to do what I can to make him proud, personally and professionally.”