The Song Written During the AIDS Crisis That Became a Book of Hope

In 1990, as the AIDS crisis devastated communities across America, songwriter David Friedman sat down and wrote a song of hope. He called it "Help Is on the Way."

It was first sung by the great cabaret singer Nancy LaMott, and it struck a chord that has never stopped ringing. The song went on to become the theme song for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, one of the theater community's most important charitable organizations, and it has helped raise millions of dollars for charitable and humanitarian causes around the world. For countless people facing illness, loss, and fear, those four words became a lifeline.

Decades later, Friedman turned that song into a book. Help Is on the Way is a practical and inspirational guide built on a simple but powerful idea: there are always answers, even when it seems like there aren't, and they often arrive in ways we don't expect, if only we're willing to be open to the possibilities.

The book's structure is wonderfully creative. Each chapter takes its title from a line of the song, and each is filled with stories, essays, anecdotes, quotations, and practical advice that bring that line to life. Reading it feels a bit like walking through the song slowly, stopping at each phrase to discover how much meaning it holds. Fans of Friedman's music will find a new way to experience a song they already love, and newcomers will discover a warm, wise companion for difficult times.

To appreciate why this message resonated so deeply, it helps to remember the moment the song was written. In 1990, the AIDS epidemic had already taken a devastating toll, and effective treatments were still years away. The theater and arts communities were hit especially hard, losing performers, designers, writers, and friends. Organizations like Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS grew out of that grief, turning the talents of the theater community into fundraising and support for people who were sick. In that context, a song that promised "help is on the way" wasn't just comforting. It was an act of defiance against despair, and a reminder that people were showing up for one another.

That spirit runs through the entire book. Friedman writes about the moments in life when we feel stuck, overwhelmed, or completely out of options, whether it's a health crisis, a relationship falling apart, a career setback, or a loss that seems impossible to bear. He doesn't promise that problems disappear. Instead, he encourages a shift in perspective: staying open to help from unexpected sources, noticing possibilities that are invisible when we're consumed by fear, and trusting that the story isn't over yet.

There's real wisdom in that approach. When people are frightened or stressed, their attention naturally narrows to the threat in front of them, which can make it genuinely harder to see creative solutions or accept support from others. Friedman's gentle reminders, and the stories of people who found answers they never expected, help readers step back and widen their view.

Friedman brings a lifetime of experience to these pages. He is an award-winning composer and conductor whose career has included Broadway, Disney films, and recordings with artists including Diana Ross, Barry Manilow, and Nancy LaMott. He is also a teacher and the creator of The Thought Exchange, an approach to working with thoughts and feelings that he shares with audiences across the country.

Whatever challenges you may be facing today, Help Is on the Way is a comforting, practical, and hopeful read, and a beautiful gift for anyone going through a hard time.

Help Is on the Way by David Friedman is available now in paperback and hardcover.