Baltimore ( CNN ) -- Erika Brannock , a survivor of the Boston Marathon bombing , anxiously purses her lips . Her eyes jump and she is quick to smile and laugh . This is what someone looks like waiting to meet the person , a stranger , who she believes saved her life . `` I told my cousin last night that it 's kind of like the night before Christmas , where you 're so excited , but nervous at the same time and you ca n't sleep , '' Brannock told CNN 's AC360 on Wednesday . 'Ready to go home ' : Last victim , Brannock , leaves the hospital . Brannock is about to meet Amanda North , a woman who took her hand and did not let go . The day of the marathon , the two women were standing near the finish line when the bombs went off . North was there to watch her daughter run , while Brannock was supporting her mom . Brannock was seriously injured . She suffered bone and tissue damage , eventually requiring the amputation of her lower left leg . North was also injured . Like Brannock , her eardrums were busted . She had cuts and lacerations on her leg . But in the immediate aftermath of the blast , North was unaware of her own injuries . She just saw Brannock , who was clearly hurt more than she , and jumped in to help , offering her belt as a tourniquet for Brannock 's leg . Boston bombings destroy dancer 's foot , but not her spirit . `` She had heard me screaming for help and she said , 'My name is Joan from California , and I 'm not going to let you go . ' And she stayed with me the whole time , '' Brannock recalled . In the chaos of that moment , she heard Joan , rather than Amanda . North thought Brannock 's name was Irene . They 'd laugh about the mix-up later . On Monday , Brannock left a Boston hospital after 11 surgeries and 50 days -- the last of the more than 250 victims to be released . She spoke to AC360 , saying that she desperately wanted to find and thank the woman she knew then as Joan . CNN put out the alert , creating an e-mail address for tips . Just hours after the show aired , one rolled in . After disasters , hospitals pay it forward . 'That 's me ' The subject line of the note was as simple as it was clear : `` That 's me . '' North 's friends had seen the AC360 segment and told her about the search . Family members also reached out . CNN arranged to fly North , who lives in Woodside , California , to Baltimore , where Brannock is undergoing physical therapy at Kernan Hospital . Like Brannock , North was a little anxious . `` In a way , she 's a stranger to me , but when you share things like this you feel like you 've known someone your entire life , '' she said . `` So I 'm looking forward to meeting her , but I 'm a little nervous . '' Moments later , raw emotion flowed . North walked into a room where Brannock was waiting . Neither women said a word as they cried and embraced . `` I have thought about you every moment since the marathon , '' North said . `` I did n't know how to get a hold of you . I did n't know what had happened to you . '' Like old friends , they exchanged gifts . Brannock gave North a necklace -- a dragonfly -- to match one she wears . The dragonfly has become a bit of a mascot for Brannock , who sees it as a symbol of strength and courage . North gave Brannock her favorite scarf . `` I want you to just think of me whenever you wear this , know that I 'm always there for you . It never goes away . We 're friends for life , '' she said . `` I 'm never going to stop holding your hand . '' Randi Kaye and David Puente reported from Baltimore ; Dana Ford wrote this report from Atlanta . Watch Anderson Cooper 360° weeknights 10pm ET . For the latest from AC360° click here .
Erika Brannock and Amanda North first met the day of the Boston Marathon bombing . North helped Brannock , providing support , offering her belt as a tourniquet . Brannock credits North with saving her life . `` I 'm never going to stop holding your hand , '' says North .