Ahead of the race, five Astana surgeons spoke to The Astana Times about the experiences that have shaped them as doctors, and what it means to meet patients again when they are no longer in a hospital bed. Her own experience showed her what it means when life becomes organized around hospital visits, procedures and the hope of receiving a donor organ. Last year, after Rakish completed the charity race, a parent approached her and said she had once treated their child. Seeing a doctor who had herself undergone transplantation complete the race helped change that perception. The parent told Rakish that her example had made the family less afraid of allowing their child to lead an active life.