That was the message attendees at the launch of the Tour de Cure heard at a breakfast at the Tramsheds on Friday from a special guest.

Australian athlete Drew Ginn, a member of Australia's "oarsome foursome" rowing team, was among three speakers at the breakfast.

Mr Ginn is a Tour de Cure ambassador and has been for several years. He said the cause resonated with him because he lost his own mother to cancer when he was only 12 years old.

"At the time I didn't understand it, and it really affected me," he said.

"But over time I discovered that it was the worst and best thing to ever happen to me. It drove me."

Tasmanian runner Kate Pedley and Australian cross country and mountain bike champion Rowena Fry were also at the breakfast.

The breakfast was held to support Angelique Sanders to raise funds to participate in the annual Peter MacCallum Ride, which will be held in November.

The four-day ride takes in Tasmania's East Coast and departs from Melbourne before the cycling starts in Tasmania.

All funds raised will go to the Peter Mac Foundation for early prevention and treatment cancer research.

Ms Sanders said this year there were about 15 riders from Tasmania participating in the Tour de Cure among about 120 riders from across Australia. Riders can sign up to various rides and have to raise $5000 each.