Local woman celebrates birthday and living life in spite of diagnosis

HOUSTON (FOX 26) - Dena Hughes reaches a milestone on Wednesday. 

Not only is she celebrating her 50th birthday, she's celebrating living another year since being diagnosed with HIV. Dena was a 21-year-old student at the University of Houston when she got the news that would change her life forever.

But don't feel sorry for her, she says HIV is only a part of who she is.