AREA – With the tristate area blood supplies reaching critical levels, RWJBarnabas Health is launching a series of blood drives across New Jersey to replenish dwindling reserves, mitigate shortages, and meet patient demand.Although blood supplies generally run lower at the beginning of the year, the current shortage has been exacerbated by a highly active flu season, with more people in emergency rooms,anddonorskeptawayfromblood drives.