Abstract: A medium for the shipment and preservation of organ-derived cells and method for its use. The shipping medium is in a firm, substantially semi-solid state at ambient and chilled temperatures, but becomes substantially fluid upon reaching body temperature. The medium in its fluid state can be poured over cultured cells or tissue slices or used to suspend isolated cells and then can be chilled to reach its semi-solid state for shipment. The firm, semi-solid nature of the medium and the presence of various components preserves organ-derived cells for a longer period of time during shipping than the preservation time achieved by using conventional liquid medium, better protects the organ-derived cells during shipment, effectively eliminates spillage during transport, and is easily used by researchers who supply preserved organ-derived cells as well as by researchers who receive the preserved organ-derived cells for experimentation or research.