Legendary Scots DJ faces race against time after brain tumour diagnosis as £80,000 raised

Scottish Sun

16-07-2025

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MORE than £80,000 has been raised for a legendary Scottish DJ, after he shared the heart-breaking news he'd been diagnosed with an untreatable brain tumour.
Keith McIvor, known to fans as JD Twitch received an outpouring of support from fans after posting news on social media of his glioblastoma diagnosis earlier this month after missing several gigs.
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JD Twitch now needs 24-hour care as his condition has increased rapidly.
Credit: crowdfunder
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All funds raised will go directly towards McIvor's private residential nursing care, additional support services, and essentials for ongoing transport and palliative care.
Credit: Getty
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JD Twitch is one half of legendary Glasgow clubbing duo Optimo, with JG Wilkes. Together, they shaped the city's electronic music scene with their weekly Sunday-night event in Glasgow's Sub Club in 1997.
Credit: Instagram
A fun​draiser, created by his wife Marissa in response to a wave of messages from supporters worldwide, has raked in a total of £83,580 on Crowdfunder UK.
In a post, she wrote: "After so many kind messages from friends and fans around the world asking how to help, we're launching a Crowdfunder to support Keith's urgent needs."
She revealed Keith's condition has rapidly progressed, affecting his speech, mobility, and independence, and he now requires 24-hour nursing care.
The funds raised will go directly towards McIvor's private residential nursing care, additional support services, and essentials for ongoing transport and palliative care.
Any additional donations will be split between causes close to Keith's heart, including Glasgow NW Foodbank, the Coalition for Racial Equality and Rights, Brainstrust, and Crete's Taki's dog shelter.
His wife added: 'While Keith's condition is extremely serious and likely to progress quickly, he's not currently in pain, can communicate well with patience, and is still present as the Keith we know and love.
'He can now connect to those most important to him in a better environment – with a determined group of friends and family around him, ready to do whatever we can to help him with what he wants and needs.
We still hope that Keith can look forward to many happy days ahead, in comfort and with his loved ones, to live out the remainder of his life in dignity and conscious of all the support and good vibes flowing toward him for as long as possible.
Navigating this situation has been incredibly hard for Keith's family — especially his wife, who lives with serious long-term health issues that affect the care she's able to provide. She's also had to cancel major surgery of her own to be present for him during this critically limited time.
However, we know we're fortunate to even have private care as an option and realise this is a very privileged position to be in. We're painfully aware that access to safe, appropriate end-of-life care is often out of reach for so many families — and we believe this is a failing of the system, not of those needing care.
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We've held off to examine all options, but now believe this Crowdfunder is the best way to channel people's goodwill in a concrete, transparent way and show them they can make a direct impact.
"It's also the easiest route for us to keep everyone regularly updated about Keith's progress, as we focus our energies on doing the best for him that we can in the remaining time that he has left.
Thank you for helping us make sure Keith is looked after with dignity and love.
You can donate to Keith's fundraiser here.
The top DJ dropped his diagnosis bombshell earlier this month, revealing that he was forced to miss several gigs after being admitted to hospital and had to have "extensive tests" carried out.
Even though his symptoms "weren't immediately diagnosed", he soon found out that he has an inoperable brain tumour.
And he explained to loyal followers that doctors have said that his tumour is "untreatable".
The music star shared the emotional post on Instagram and admitted that he is still trying to process the heartbreaking news with his family.
Keith is best known for helping shape Glasgow's electronic music scene over two decades after launching Optimo (Espacio) with JG Wilkes as a weekly Sunday-night event in Glasgow's Sub Club in 1997.
The popular gig w​ent on to build a reputation for its expansive music and became one of Scotland's most popular club nights until 2010, when it came to an end.