Objectives To compare the differences of the medical charity donations between at home and abroad in West China Hospital of Sichuan University, so as to provide the evidence for the management and development of medical charity in West China Hospital and China. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate and analyze the current situation and problems of the medical charity donations at home and abroad in West China Hospital from January 2005 to December 2006. Results The total amount of the charity funds at home and abroad was 2.043 mill ion and 14.6 mill ion, respectively. The main target diseases of domestic donation were tumor, hematologic disease, dangerous and severe diseases and congenital heart disease, which accounted for 43.3%, 35.9%, 15.8% and 1.0%, respectivley. While the main targeted interventions and diseases of overseas donation were hearing rehabilitation, prosthetic replacement, cataract and congenital heart disease, which took up 52.1%, 27.4%, 13.7% and 6.8%, respectively. Conclusions There are differences in the amount of charity funds, target diseases, behavioral motivations, organizations, objectives and criteria of the charity donation between the donations at home and abroad. It would probably cause the problems in recruitment, distribution and monitoring of the charity funds. It is suggested that the hospital management committee of charity funds and the related law to regulate the charity behaviors should be developed.