A method of storing a donor organ prior to implantation into an organ recipient includes bagging the donor organ by placing the donor organ into at least one bag and sealing the at least one bag; placing the bagged donor organ into a portable storage container; placing at least one cooling pack in the portable storage container, wherein the at least one cooling pack is configured to maintain a temperature of the donor organ at 8 to 12 degrees C during storage of the donor organ, and storing the donor organ in the portable storage container prior to transplanting the donor organ into the organ recipient, wherein the portable storage container does not contain any ice at any time during storage of the donor organ.