Chris Gehringer was diagnosed with autism at an early age. He was the biggest Mets fan, Groot lover, and best cart pusher in Shoprite’s history, and is remembered as one who always put himself first. Everything he did was to put a smile on someone’s face. Even in his last days, he thanked everyone for coming to visit and responded with, “that’s so nice of everyone.”
In 2022, the lives of nearly everyone in and out of The Township of Washington who knew Chris changed when he was diagnosed with testicular cancer, followed by pseudomyxoma peritonei the next year. After a long, courageous fight, Chris peacefully passed two weeks after his 30th birthday in 2025.
Though Chris is no longer physically with us, his spirit stays alive through his sister’s fundraiser that she created in memory of him, Colored By Chris.
What is PMP?
Pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP), also known as “jelly belly,” is a very rare type of cancer. Doctors diagnose three to four million cases each year. PMP usually begins as a slow-growing tumor in the appendix. When the tumor ruptures, cancer cells spread throughout the lining of the abdomen (peritoneum) and produce mucin, a thick mucus that accumulates in the abdominal cavity.
PMP can go undetected for years. The main symptoms of PMP are abdominal bloating, but others include changes in bowel habits, pain, and weight fluctuations. Treatment typically involves surgery and specialized chemotherapy.
Colored By Chris
After Chris’s passing, Lucie, Chris’s sister and CEO of Colored By Chris, noticed the Mother’s Day card Chris had drawn a couple of years back. The homemade card has hearts and flowers, both of which Lucie and her mother, Debra, got as tattoos. Lucie knew of a t-shirt printing place in town and wanted to make t-shirts with the hearts and flowers for her and her mom to carry Chris’s legacy wherever they go.
“I made myself and my mom, originally, the first t-shirts, and then we were going through some of his stuff and found a school journal. I found the quote that says ‘Be the best you can be.’”
On a beach day with her friends, Lucie wore the shirt. Her friends obsessed over the design. They asked her where they got it, and she explained how she made them for her and Debra. They immediately told Lucie to sell the shirts, expressing how unique they are and that they wanted one, too. Under the hot New Jersey sun, Lucie knew these designs could make a difference.
She started planning the layout on Adobe Illustrator. Soon enough, Colored By Chris was released on the two-month anniversary of Chris’s passing. The campaign first launched with t-shirts. Flowers and hearts that were drawn by Chris are featured on the front of shirts. His journal entry, “Be the best you can be,” is on the back in his handwriting.
All proceeds were first donated to Spectrum360, a program for individuals with autism and other related disabilities. She started using the design on tote bags, tank tops, magnets, sweatshirts, and key chains, which raised over $4,000! Chris’s story has even reached all over the world, with the farthest order coming from Australia.
Colored By Chris: Snoopy Edition
Lucie knew she couldn’t stop there. This fundraiser also helped her grieve, raise awareness about autism, and tell the story of Chris. Taking it to the next step, she used another one of Chris’s drawings to make dog bandanas with Chris’s drawing of Snoopy. To match the dog theme, Lucie got in contact with New York Bully Crew to donate all proceeds there, since Chris loved dogs, especially pitbulls.
The newest edition includes the Snoopy drawing with a new handwritten message by Chris, “Do your best to be your best!” Along with the dog bandanas, these designs also come on t-shirts, tote bags, and mugs.
Though she can’t say what, expect a new launch soon! Lucie is working to use a new drawing of Chris’s. The fundraiser will donate proceeds to another organization that Chris loved.
April Marks Autism Awareness Month
Chris’s story is not only one of his strength and eternal kindness, but one that also brings awareness to the autism community. Autism, or autism spectrum disorder, is a broad range of conditions that creates challenges with social skills, speech, nonverbal communication, and repetitive behaviors, according to Autism Speaks. In the United States, autism affects about one in 31 children and one in 45 adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
Co-Existing with Grief
Everyone grieves differently. For Lucie, starting Colored By Chris has helped her process the loss of her brother. Many people are afraid to have good things happen to them because of the guilt they may feel, but your loved ones want you to succeed and feel happiness. As Lucie says, grief and happiness can co-exist.
“It’s not healthy to repress, but it’s a really hard place to be in,” Lucie said. “I think acknowledging it is super important so that you can kind of move past it, step by step. The thing is with grief, it’s like one day you have a good day, and then the next day you have a really bad day. I think it’s the consistent mindset of just acknowledging that so-and-so is gone, and I wish I could tell them, but I can’t. It’s being in tune with your emotions versus trying to hide it or not thinking about it at all.”
Grief is not an easy concept, but your past loved ones are always by your side. Whenever you’re upset, remember Chris’s advice: “don’t cry, have a marshmallow!” And, as always, remember to be the best you can be.
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