- Sep 21, 2020
- Social Responsibility
JD Launches Free Storage for Alzheimer’s Patients and Family Members
by Yuchuan Wang
Today, the 27th World Alzheimer’s Day, JD’s Mini Storage warehouse service launched a special charity project for people who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease. Through the initiative, Alzheimer’s patients and their relatives who sign up from September 21st to November 25th can keep their belongings in JD’s warehouses one year for free.
There are over 50 million people in the world living with dementia (Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia), of which 10 million reside in China.
Xiao Hang, a Beijing resident, is the grandson of an Alzheimer’s patient. He recently stored his miniature car models and furniture in JD’s warehouse as he is currently renovating his home.
Xiao Hang said he became fascinated in miniature car models over 20 years ago when a Japanese cartoon called Bakusou Kyoudai Let’s & Go (The Racing Brothers Let’s & Go)came to China. His grandmother, who developed Alzheimer’s last year and lost both many of her memories and her language capability as a result, bought him his very first car model that he could join in and play with the other kids.
“Every time I went back home, [my grandmother] would stare at me for a long time. Even when she finally recognized me, she cannot speak, but cried instead. These car models represent an emotional attachment between me and her.” said Xiao Hang.
“As long as you have items that you can’t bear to part with, you can store them in our Mini Storage [facility],” said Liangliang Liu, head of JD Mini Storage. “We hope to provide a reassuring place for all people in need, such as families who are relocating, students, small apartment dwellers, travelers, and more.”
Launched in 2019, JD Mini Storage enables individuals and small enterprises to store their goods in JD’s warehouses securely and cost-effectively. The service has now been expanded to over 10 cities including Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. Alzheimer’s patients and their relatives can indicate as such on the order form and then customer service will contact them to arrange free pickup.
