COEUR d'ALENE - David Kuhn said he has experienced many "blessings" in being blind.

"I'm getting to see a side of humanity that a lot of people don't get to appreciate," he said. "There are so many people willing to help out."

Kuhn, who will run the Coeur d'Alene Marathon at McEuen Park on Sunday, is in Coeur d'Alene to increase awareness of Cystic Fibrosis, a life-threatening disease that causes thick mucus to build up in the lungs and other areas of the body. The granddaughter of the 61-year-old from DeKalb, Ill., - Kylie Hunley - has CF.

"The support I've gotten in Coeur d'Alene has been phenomenal," said Kuhn, who is being housed by the staff of the Holiday Inn along Interstate 90 during his Coeur d'Alene stop and has local running guides assisting during his stay.

Kuhn plans to walk about 11,000 miles around the perimeter of the country over the next 18 months, raising funds for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. His supporters can help his cause in two ways - by making tax-deductible donations to the foundation through itsallicando.wordpress.com, or chipping in for his stays along the way by providing housing, meals or guides.

Coeur d'Alene 36-year-old Jennifer McKenna, who has CF and met Kuhn this week, said Kuhn's journey for his granddaughter called "It's All I Can Do" is inspiring.

"He's bold and courageous to be running across the country blind," she said. "For an older gentleman to be doing this is very touching. It's an incredible undertaking."

Forrest Gump has nothing on Kuhn.

Kuhn's expedition started in Seattle on May 15, and he has picked up supporters along the way just as Gump did while running across the country in the movie. He has raised more than $1,000.

So far, Kuhn's contacts through the Masonic Lodge and running clubs have made his journey possible with transportation and other costs. With the need for guides and traveling by himself, he runs and walks in the cities where he stays, not along the road from town to town.

When guides aren't available, Kuhn finds places himself to walk or run, including in parking lots and along paths. His goal is to reach 25 miles per day, although he admits that can be hard on his body if he does it in one shot.

Ben Tran, who owns a Coeur d'Alene graphic design firm that created a free poster for Kuhn's fundraising efforts, is serving as one of Kuhn's guides in Coeur d'Alene, including for the marathon.

"I have no training whatsoever to do a marathon, but I'm going to do it with (Kuhn)," Tran said. "He's an amazing, upbeat individual and believes everything has happened to him for a reason."

Kuhn, who is completely blind in one eye and can only see light and some images in the other, said he plans to take a "vacation" from his journey by competing in an Ironman triathlon in Wisconsin in September before hitting the CF trail again. A friend in his hometown is documenting his expedition on Facebook.

Kuhn said the main factor in losing his eyesight was an automobile crash in 1981 in which he collided with the vehicle of a drunk driver who had swerved into his lane.

Kuhn said he harbors no negative feelings over the experience.

"You get dealt good hands and bad hands, and I've tried to live with that thought ever since," he said. "Would I much rather have my eyesight back? Yes, but I keep telling people that there are many perks and blessings in losing my eyesight. I've gotten to meet a lot of wonderful people."

• Runners helping SIDS group

Tom and Joe Tessendorf of Tessendorf Family Chiropractic in Hayden will run Sunday's Coeur d'Alene Marathon to support the Inland Northwest Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Foundation.

The father-son team has raised $2,100, surpassing their goal of $2,014. Those who want to support the cause can make a donation at www.inwsids.org.

The SIDS group will man a water station at the marathon.

"Two thousand dollars is a lot for our nonprofit, which is all volunteers," said Liz Montgomery, executive director of the 2-year-old group that supports families affected by SIDS and educates the public.