'GMA' surprises Sanford mom with famed chef's breakfast in bed

SANFORD, Fla. — A Sanford mother who's had a rough few years got the surprise of a lifetime on "Good Morning America" Friday morning.

Celebrity chef and restaurateur Emeril Lagasse showed up to present her with breakfast in bed. And then, an even bigger surprise: She met the woman who saved her 3-year-old daughter's life.

Nicole Moore's inspiring story won her the visit from Lagasse.

Moore's daughter, Lauren, was diagnosed with leukemia in 2011. She was almost 2 years old at the time. Moore was pregnant at the time and said the shock of the diagnosis sent her into early labor.

Moore was at Winnie Palmer Hospital while Lauren was at the children's hospital across the street, Arnold Palmer Hospital.

Moore said she was up every night and spent her days trying to research leukemia. At the same time, she was taking care of her newborn son, Tommy.

Lauren's chemotherapy treatment was unsuccessful. Doctors said a bone marrow transplant was her only hope. A match had been found with an anonymous donor.

On Friday morning, Moore met that donor for the first time.

"She saved my daughter's life, and I can't thank her enough. And she is part of our family now and will be forever, so thank you," said Moore.

Kristen Eisinger was the bone marrow donor. She lives in New York.

"I was just happy to have her in my arms, finally. Knowing that she is happy and healthy," said Eisinger.

Inspired by the strength Moore showed during her daughter's illness, her mother-in-law nominated her for the award on "Good Morning America."

"I'm so proud of my daughter-in-law. She has worked so hard for her family through this," said Sally Moore.

That statement had "GMA" anchor Robin Roberts in tears. Roberts recently had a bone marrow transplant.

And then there were more surprises from Lagasse.

There were screams of excitement from the family as more family members, along with doctors from Arnold Palmer Hospital and Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, all showed up to celebrate Nicole Moore's ability to hold her family together through the roughest part of their lives.

"Definitely the best Mother's Day ever," said Moore.

On Saturday, the group will spend the day at Disney World.

WFTV