WALKS OF LIFE; SIMI HOSPITAL CHAPLAIN LEADS GROUP TO WALK RELAY FOR LIFE.

Byline: Angela Randazzo Staff Writer

Dave Peckham, chaplain at Simi Valley Hospital & Health Care Services, is also a cheerleader, recently having encouraged nine teams from the hospital and health care services who participated in the American Cancer Society's recent Relay for Life Walk.

In addition to supporting his colleagues, Peckham also formed his own one-man team, with a goal of walking the entire 24 hours of the event.

``I like engendering enthusiasm and inspiring people,'' said Peckham. ``I decided to put all my efforts on the Relay for Life and give it my all.''

Peckham, a soft-spoken man with steely determination, has been an advocate for the fight against cancer for many years, has taught anti-smoking seminars and is a board member of the American Cancer Society.

The one-man team shared the track Sept. 25 at Royal High School in Simi Valley with 180 other walkers from the hospital, more than 150 cancer survivors and other community groups who formed teams of walkers.

``It was a community event,'' said Peckham. ``It was incredible to be on the field with teachers, cancer survivors, the police force, and walk with them throughout the night.''

Peckham walked for 14 consecutive hours, then took a break and walked 2 more hours, raising more than $1,700 in pledges. The hospital and health care services employees raised more than $20,000 and the event raised more than $130,000 overall.

Peckham was born in Rhodesia, now called Zimbabwe, in Africa, where his parents came as missionaries from South Africa. Peckham knew what he wanted to do early in life and, by the age of 5, was preaching to neighborhood kids in the backyard.

``My parents wanted to make a difference in the lives of other people and they engendered that spirit into their children,'' said Peckham.

In 1963, Peckham's family returned to South Africa where he went on to study theology at Helderberg College, a Seventh Day Adventist college, near Capetown. He graduated in 1973 and took his first work as pastor in a church at 21.

The political and social unrest in South Africa brought Peckham, wife Cheryl, a teacher, and two daughters to Oregon in 1991. Their daughters, Janeen and Melissa, are now both students at Walla Walla College in Washington.

After serving as a pastor for 22 years, Peckham became interested in becoming a hospital chaplain, which led him to Simi Valley Hospital in April 1995.

``I visit with as many patients as I can, providing spiritual and emotional support during time of crisis, times of enjoy and just being there,'' said Peckham.

CAPTION(S):

2 Photos

PHOTO (1) Walkers start the Relay for Life fundraiser last month. the event raised more than $130,000 for the American Cancer Society.

(2) Dave Peckman