Chinese tech company joins national illness project

Chinese insurance company Waterdrop Inc on Friday held its second "111" charity day in Beijing, calling on more entities to participate in social work and charity activities.

The company said its Waterdrop crowdfunding and charity platforms have been invited as co-sponsors to join the Chinese serious illness aid project.

Guided by the National Health Commission, the project is sponsored by the China Population Welfare Foundation and supported by the China Philanthropy Research Institute of Beijing Normal University.

With the support of Waterdrop's technological advantages and multiple social resources, the aid project will be dedicated to assisting people who with severe illnesses who are experiencing financial difficulties, the company said.

"From the first day of its establishment, Waterdrop Inc aims to cater to people's real needs and solve their pain points," said Shen Peng, founder and CEO of Waterdrop Inc.
"We aim to help more people to raise the needed treatment money and allow more to enjoy good health insurance coverage. Together with our partners, we will make a better world."

Wang Zhenyao, president of the China Philanthropy Research Institute, spoke highly of Waterdrop's new move, saying it represents a great revolution in the use of science and technology to solve social problems.

The three-year-old firm's crowdfunding platform helps those with severe illness to raise treatment money. So far 280 million people have donated 23.5 billion yuan ($3.3 billion) for hundreds of thousands of families in need.

Waterdrop also announced the whale baby program for children with severe illness.

In the next year, Waterdrop plans to raised 100 million yuan treatment money for 1,000 children with severe illness.